Acting Goals That Aren’t Cringe

Okay, let’s be honest. We’ve all seen those New Year posts from actors that sound

something like —“This is my year! Manifesting series regular energy! ”Or “Big bookings only in 2025!”And listen — I love the optimism. But sometimes, our acting goals start to sound… a little cringe.

Why? Because they’re about results — not process.

In today’s episode, we’re going to fix that. We’ll talk about how to create acting goals that actually move your career forward — without the fake hustle, without the toxic positivity, and without the pressure to “book or bust.”

Let’s make your goals smarter, saner, and actually achievable.

 INTRODUCTION

Hey everybody — I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach, casting director, author of Booked It: The Actor’s Playbook for Getting Cast, and your host of Casting Actors Cast.

This is where we have real conversations about what it means to build a sustainable acting career — not the fantasy version, but the one that actually works in the real world.

And today’s topic — Acting Goals That Aren’t Cringe — comes from seeing way too many talented actors lose momentum because their goals are unrealistic, vague, or just… not rooted in anything actionable.

We’ll cover:

• The difference between “wish list” goals and “growth” goals

• Why outcome-based goals make you feel worse, not better

• How to create progress markers you can actually control

• And a few examples of goals that real working actors use — ones that actually get results.

By the end, you’ll walk away with a goal-setting framework that’s simple, focused, and actually motivating.

Because here’s the thing: your career is not a sprint. It’s a long game — and your goals are your compass.

 MAIN DISCUSSION

1. Why “Manifesting the Booking” Doesn’t Work

Let’s start with a little myth-busting. Setting a goal like “I’m going to book a series regular this year” might sound ambitious and inspiring — but it’s actually setting you up to fail.

Why? Because you don’t control when you book. You don’t control the roles being cast, the projects in development, or the 200 other people being seen for that same part.

What you can control is your preparation, your consistency, and your visibility.

So instead of saying, “I want to book a series regular,” try this:

“I’m going to update my reel, strengthen my on-camera work, and connect with two new casting offices this quarter.”

See the difference? One is a wish; the other is a plan.

Manifestation is great — I’m all for positive mindset — but manifestation without strategy is just daydreaming in activewear.

2. “Goals That Look Good” vs. “Goals That Work”

There’s this strange pressure in the acting world to have cool-sounding goals. Things like:

• “Be on Broadway within two years.”

• “Get signed by CAA.”

• “Book my first Netflix show.”

And sure — those are exciting! But they don’t tell you how to get there.

Real, non-cringe goals sound more like:

• “I’ll take a weekly on-camera class for three months to sharpen my audition consistency.”

• “I’ll submit to three new agents who represent actors at my level.”

• “I’ll tape five scenes this month to improve my self-tape flow.”

They may not sound glamorous — but they work. Because they create measurable, repeatable habits.

And here’s the secret: habits build confidence. Confidence builds momentum. Momentum books work.

That’s the chain reaction we want.

3. Shift from “Outcome” Goals to “Process” Goals

Let’s redefine what a goal even is.

An outcome goal is something you hope happens. A process goal is something you make happen.

Outcome goal: “I want to book a commercial.”Process goal: “I’ll practice three new commercial copy reads this week and review the playback.”

Outcome goal: “I want to get an agent. ”Process goal: “I’ll research five agencies and draft one personalized submission each week.”

Process goals keep you in motion. Outcome goals keep you anxious.

And here’s the twist — when you focus on process goals, the outcomes start to show up naturally. Because you’ve built the skill, the exposure, and the confidence that lead to them.

4. The “Why” Test

Here’s a tool I love: the Why Test. Before you set a goal, ask yourself why you want it.

If your answer starts with “Because I should,” that’s a red flag. If it starts with “Because it excites me,” or “Because it challenges me,” — that’s alignment.

You’d be amazed how many goals are driven by comparison, not inspiration. We see other actors post wins online and think, “I need that too. ”But chasing someone else’s timeline is a guaranteed way to lose your own joy.

So, before you set a new goal, take 60 seconds to ask:

“Do I want this because it aligns with my growth — or because I’m afraid of being behind?”

That question alone can save you months of frustration. (BREAK)

5. Avoid the “All or Nothing” Trap

Here’s something I see all the time — actors make big, sweeping goals, and when life interrupts, they give up.

You plan to record a self-tape every week, then one bad week hits and you stop altogether. You set a goal to network twice a month, and when one event falls through, you scrap the whole thing.

Let’s fix that with what I call the flex goal.

A flex goal gives you a range, not a rule. Instead of “I’ll do this every week,” try “I’ll do this 3 out of 4 weeks. ”Instead of “I’ll post every Friday,” try “I’ll post twice a month.”

Progress doesn’t have to be perfect. You don’t lose momentum when you miss a week — you lose it when you quit.

And let’s be honest, actors are juggling side jobs, auditions, classes, and life. You need goals that bend, not break.

6. Keep It Visible and Trackable

Here’s one practical step that can completely change your mindset: Write your goals down — somewhere you can see them daily.

Use a whiteboard, a sticky note, or even the background of your phone. And here’s the trick — write them as actions, not outcomes.

Instead of: “Book a guest star.” “Submit three new self-tapes by the 15th.”

Instead of: “Get more auditions.” “Email two casting offices with updated materials.”

Every small win deserves acknowledgment. Check them off. Celebrate them. Because each check mark is a mini confidence boost that reminds you — you’re in control of your growth.

7. The One Goal You Should Always Have

If you take nothing else from this episode, remember this: Always keep one goal that’s just for your creative joy.

Not networking. Not auditioning. Not branding. Something purely artistic — like reading a new play every week, writing a short scene, or filming something just for fun.

This is the “soul fuel” goal .It reminds you why you started acting in the first place — because it’s creative, expressive, and meaningful.

If your goals only live in the business category, you’ll eventually feel empty. You need something that reconnects you to the art in your artistry.

CONCLUSION & CALL TO ACTION

So let’s wrap this up.

Cringe goals are about image. Real goals are about impact.

If you want to grow as an actor, focus on what you can do, not what you hope happens. Trade pressure for progress. Trade comparison for curiosity. And most importantly — give yourself permission to evolve at your own pace.

Because you’re not behind.