Feeling Stuck? How To Get Your Work Noticed By Industry Gatekeepers

I’m not sure what to do next. Currently stuck in a corporate job that drains my free time. Looking for advice on work/ life balance, and advice on connecting with theaters // gate keepers to read my work. — Playwright

It’s understandable why this playwright is unsure of next steps, since their question lists multiple concerns – feeling stuck, looking for work/ life balance, getting past gatekeepers. A critical first step is untangling everything that troubles you so you can address each issue head-on. Different problems require different solutions.

Identify When It’s Time For Change

Kudos to this playwright for taking the time to reflect and realize they need a change. Feeling stuck or drained are indicators that you may need to prioritize your well-being. If you tend to grind through your work and may miss emotional signs, set calendar reminders every month or quarter to review your career, so you don’t go too long before making adjustments (change a job you don’t like, don’t just quit!)

Prioritize Work-Life Balance – Take Proactive Steps to Reclaim Your Time

Ideally, you schedule breaks throughout the day, take longer breaks weekly and use all of your paid time off. Set a timer every 30 to 60 minutes to stretch or drink some water. Make lunch dates with colleagues so you’re not tempted to work through meals. Plan a fun outing every week or so to build in a longer break and give yourself something to look forward to. Invite an old friend, and get some networking done at the same time! Schedule vacation days in advance to ensure you actually take the time and create anticipation for yourself.

This playwright mentions a corporate job, which suggests they may be doing something unrelated to their creative aspirations. If your current job is different from your dream career, take an additional step in your work-life planning to include activities related to your dream career (e.g., writing your next play) in your workday. Consider reserve your highest energy blocks for your dream career, rather than your money job to ensure that the best of you is given to your most important priorities.

Build Connections With Industry Gatekeepers

For this playwright, they need investors to bankroll their next production, theaters to dedicate space and time and actors, crew and others to work on their projects. For any career, Industry gatekeepers to your dream career include recruiters, hiring managers, strategic partners, investors and other decision-makers. These people should be part of your ongoing networking, even if you don’t have a play ready or you’re not actively looking for your next job.

Get active in your professional association – in the case of the playwright, show up at readings and performances of other writers and artists. Make connections and introductions to help others where you can – people remember and appreciate helpful people. Stay in touch with relevant articles or insights in your field. By following up regularly with useful actions and information, you build a supportive, genuine relationship. Then, when you do have a play to pitch (or some other professional request) you’re tapping into people who already know, like and trust you.

Create Alternative Pathways To Share Your Work

Even if you have a broad, supportive network, the people you know may not be hiring at the exact time you’re looking, or job market trends might be bleak. If you want to stay busy, sometimes you’ll need to create your own work opportunities. For the playwright, this could mean producing their own projects – i.e., raising the money, securing the venue, cobbling together the cast and crew, marketing the show. If self-producing is too big a step, consider putting a reading together, or film an excerpt from the full play. Continue to write other content, while you work on bringing the play to the stage.

For a job seeker unable to break through in a particular field, make sure you’re looking at a wide range of competitors, not just the household names but startups or medium-sized firms. If full-time jobs are scarce, pitch a temporary role, with the goal to convert from temp to perm down the road. Take on personal projects or do volunteer work to keep your skills and expertise sharp, as you wait for hiring to open up.

Balance Passion With Practicality — Stay Motivated And Solvent!

By exploring alternatives, networking with the long game in mind, prioritizing work/life balance and checking in and course-correcting regularly, you balance your passion with the practical realities of daily living. It’s a myth and limiting belief to think you have to choose between fulfillment and a paycheck! You stay motivated because you’re moving forward with your dreams. At the same time, you stay solvent because you continue to work where you can. You don’t wait for industry gatekeepers to let you in – you empower yourself by continually honing your skills and expertise.