Happy #MakeItHappenMonday! It’s time to kick off another week of creativity, passion, and daring greatly! Today, we’re diving deep into a topic that every performer can relate to: the courage to be vulnerable, to show up and let yourselves be seen, warts and all.

To guide us on this journey, we look to an excerpt from Theodore Roosevelt’s speech, “The Man In The Arena.” It’s not just a compelling read; it’s a rallying cry for anyone who dares to step into the arena of life. This arena could be a literal stage for us performers or any situation where we expose our authentic selves to the judgment of others.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

Ignore the Critics, Embrace the Struggles

First things first—forget the critics. Whether you’re a musician fretting over a critic’s review or an actor worried about a casting agent’s opinion, Roosevelt’s message is clear: “It is not the critic who counts.”

In our field, criticism is often viewed as a necessary evil, but it should never make or break your spirit. The real credit, as Roosevelt says, “belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.” So, show up, mess up, get bruised, and even fail. You’re still a thousand times better off than someone who never dared to step into the arena.

The Beauty of Imperfections

“Who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming.” Let’s think about that for a moment. Our performances are not going to be perfect, ever. And guess what? That’s completely okay! Every mistake is an opportunity for growth, a stepping stone on your path to becoming a thriving artist.

Dare to Dream, Dare to Do

Roosevelt speaks of “great enthusiasms, great devotions,” and spending oneself “in a worthy cause.” For performers, this cause could be the pure joy of the performance, advocating for a social issue through your art, or simply providing entertainment that allows people to escape from the humdrum of life.

Regardless of what your “worthy cause” is, the key is to dare—dare to dream big, dare to fall, and most importantly, dare to get back up and try again. It’s all a part of the beautiful, messy, fulfilling journey of being a performer.

Take Your Own #DareGreatly Challenge

Are you ready to step into the arena? Your challenge for the week is to put Roosevelt’s wisdom into action:

1. Identify Your Arena: This could be a specific role you’ve been hesitant to audition for, or perhaps a style of performance you’ve always wanted to explore but haven’t.
2. Acknowledge Your Fears: Write them down, speak them out loud, or discuss them with a trusted friend or mentor. Recognize them but don’t let them hold you back.
3. Take the Leap: Actually go for it! Audition for that role, take that dance class, write that script. Take one actionable step towards your dream.
4. Reflect and Revise: No matter the outcome, take a moment to reflect on what you’ve learned, and how you can grow from the experience.
5. Share Your Story: Use the hashtag #DareGreatly and tag us @ThePerformer’sManifesto. Let’s inspire one another to be our most daring selves yet!

We want to see you out there, thriving, and fully embodying the spirit of the person “in the arena.” Remember, it’s not about winning; it’s about showing up and daring greatly.

So, go ahead. Step into your arena and dazzle the world with your courage, your flaws, and your irrepressible spirit.

Cheers to a week full of daring and doing! ????