Читать книгу 10,000 NOs - Matthew Del Negro - Страница 15

Let's break down the psychology of a strong work ethic. Bumper stickers abound spouting slogans like “No Fear.” But perhaps my friend and former podcast guest Tony Blauer has it more accurate with his own company, Know Fear. Blauer is one of the world's top self-defense experts, having trained scores of Tier One Operators (a.k.a. Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, etc.) as well as housewives and everyday citizens. His philosophy is that, rather than stick our heads in the sand pretending we are safe, we need to familiarize ourselves with fear. We need to be incredibly aware of our surroundings and the potential for danger at any time, whether it be from an assailant on the street or a car in an oncoming traffic lane. Blauer teaches that it is only in leaning into the fear and sadness of losing one's loved ones that people are motivated to take the proper precautions to reduce the chances of that happening. Fear, in this case, becomes the motivator that signs us up to get the training necessary to protect ourselves and our families. That training and awareness can be considered “good work ethic” within the realm of self-defense.

As an actor, I know fear every time I'm on a new set in a new role. My consistent training has reduced this fear. And over time, my experience has provided me examples that I can draw from, of times where I have overcome my fear in the past, which helps me to keep it in check. But new environments can bring new challenges that sometimes make me feel like I'm starting all over again. When I was young and I'd hear a legendary actor like Gene Hackman wonder if he was ever going to work again once he wrapped a film, I thought it was an insincere ploy for sympathy. But now, as a consistently working actor myself, I finally understand his statement. The years have taught me that I can never predict what is coming next. Likewise, on a new set with new players and material, a fear that I won't have what it takes to hack it can sometimes creep into my psyche. My specific career, where much of my work has consisted of extended stints on other people's shows, has brought this challenge up for me repeatedly.