First Three Reps

FIRST THREE REPS DON’T COUNT

I went surfing on the weekend…

Let me start this again

I tried to go surfing on the weekend

I love the word “try”

It’s the opposite of what was jammed down my gullet during school

“Don’t say TRY”

“Trying is weak”

“You WILL do it”

Thank you life-coaching postcard 

Any who

I tried to go surfing on the weekend

It’s been 7 years since I last caught a wave (on a stand up paddle board)

So paddling out using my arms to catch some barrels is absolutely not my forte 

The waves were nice and small 

I had a lovely friend with me who is very experienced 

And the sun came out so I could clearly see the ocean floor

But as perfect as the setup was

It took me about 30 seconds to feel completely overwhelmed 

Paddling out with a foam board meant I wasn’t able to duck-dive smoothly 

So when the waves came through whilst I was trying to make it passed the break

I got bashed around like a cork in a whirlpool 

Within just a few moments

I felt like a complete failure

“I can’t even get passed the break”

“Everyone else can do this”

“This is pathetic”

It felt strange to be speaking to myself that way

(It’s been a while since I heard such a critical voice in my head)

But then I remembered

It’s been years since I actually paddled out

And even then… I’ve was never actually able to consistently catch waves and stand up

It felt lovely to admit to myself the truth

That I have no idea what I’m doing

So why am I putting so much pressure on myself like I should know?

I then remembered one of my favourite things I read about an olympic level athlete who I’m a big fan of

“The first 3 reps don’t count”

Yes!

I love that!

The first 3 reps are purely just to get in the arena

To give one’s-self permission to suck

After those first 3 reps?

Permission to start making adjustments

But those first 3…

No correcting

No fixing

No solving

Just get messy

Just play :)

So?

I took a breath

Laughed at how much I was flailing like a drowning monkey

Paddled in the most uncoordinated fashion

And just managed to make it passed the break

(Which was a win in itself)

Did everything magically become amazing then?

Nope

It sucked

I caught one wave in

Stood up and turned to my friend with the biggest smile of the decade

But then became so tired trying to get passed the break again 

That I went an sat on the beach to catch my breath

I gave up

Tapped out

Surrendered 

And it felt glorious…

Tried to go surfing for the first time in almost a decade

Just managed to stand on one wave

WAHOO

Now time for an Açai bowl and some honest conversations with an old friend

A great first try

Yes

I still suck at surfing

I didn’t end up winning the Rip Curl Bells Beach Comp

But I’m happy

It was my first of 3 attempts

So I’m not even going to give it much thought

I’ll go suck another 2 times (at least)

Then maybe start having a think about trying to improve.

What’s my point?

When it comes to all the different aspect of managing one’s acting career

Self Tapes

Call Backs

Director Meetings

Writing Scripts

Waiting Well

Game Plans

Game Days

First Day’s on set

Handling Pressure

New Accents

New linguistic styles

Practice

Coaches

Acting Classes 

Etc

The first three reps don’t count.

Hope this helps

X 

Sheasby 

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CURIOUS

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