As actors, we're constantly in pursuit of growth, honing our craft, and pushing the boundaries of our artistic expression. But in this quest for excellence, we often overlook a crucial aspect of our development: the process of learning itself. Today, let's explore why it's essential not only to interrogate what we learn but also how we learn, and how this awareness can transform our journey as artists.
The Conscious Competence Learning Model: A Roadmap for Growth
One of the first concepts I introduce to new students and clients is the Conscious Competence Learning Model, developed by Noel Burch in the 1970s. This model provides a framework for understanding the stages we go through when acquiring new skills:
Unconscious Incompetence: We don't know what we don't know.
Conscious Incompetence: We become aware of our lack of skill.
Conscious Competence: We can perform the skill, but it requires focus.
Unconscious Competence: The skill becomes second nature.
Understanding this progression is pivotal for actors. It allows us to recognise where we are in our learning journey and appreciate the growth process. This awareness doesn't eliminate the uncertainty of learning, but it does provide a context for our experiences.
Brené Brown, known for her work on vulnerability and courage, says:
"Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome."
While Brown speaks to the broader courage required in vulnerable situations, we can apply this thinking to our learning journey as actors. Understanding the stages of competence doesn't remove the need for vulnerability - we still must "show up and be seen" at each stage. However, this understanding can give us the courage to embrace our current stage, knowing it's a natural part of the process.
Embrace Your Unique Journey: The Trap of Self-Comparison
It's crucial to remember that everyone arrives at training – whether at drama school or in private coaching – at different points in this progression. This is where the power of self-compassion comes into play. When you understand the natural progression of learning, you can take the shame out of not knowing and embrace the excitement of discovery.
However, it's important to recognise that self-comparison is often a trap, not a power, in both learning and art. Your journey is uniquely yours, and comparing yourself to others can hinder your growth and distort your perception of your own progress. As Theodore Roosevelt wisely said:
"Comparison is the thief of joy."
This is particularly true in acting, where individual experiences, personalities, and paths to growth vary so widely. When we fall into the trap of self-comparison, we risk:
Undermining our confidence: Constantly measuring ourselves against others can lead to feelings of inadequacy, even when we're making significant progress.
Misunderstanding our own journey: Every actor's path is unique. What works for one may not work for another, and comparing your journey to someone else's can lead you astray from your own authentic development.
Overlooking our own strengths: Focusing on how we measure up to others can blind us to our own unique talents and areas of growth.
Losing motivation: If we perceive others as always being "ahead," we may become discouraged and lose the drive to continue improving.
Missing learning opportunities: When we're preoccupied with comparison, we may fail to fully engage with our own learning process and miss valuable insights.
Instead of comparison, focus on your own growth and progress. The visionary educator Sir Ken Robinson once said:
"The gardener does not make a plant grow. The job of a gardener is to create optimal conditions."
This metaphor is particularly apt for actors and their trainers. Just as each plant in a garden grows at its own pace and in its own way, each actor develops uniquely. Our job, both as learners and as coaches, is to create the best possible conditions for growth. This means understanding our current stage of competence, nurturing our strengths, and patiently working on areas that need development - all without the pressure of comparison to others.
The Art of Patience
Learning something new takes time, and it's essential to be kind to yourself along the way. Invest in the process and the journey, rather than fixating on the destination. This mindset shift can be transformative, especially for drama school students who often feel pressured to be unconsciously competent by graduation.
Remember, it's perfectly okay if you're not yet at the point of conscious competence when you graduate. Learning is a continual process, and your skills will continue to develop long after formal training ends. In fact, many professional actors find that their most significant growth occurs in the years following their formal education, as they apply their skills in real-world situations.
Self-compassion in this context means acknowledging the difficulty of the learning process, recognising that struggles and setbacks are normal, and treating yourself with kindness as you navigate these challenges. It's about maintaining a growth mindset, where difficulties are seen as opportunities for learning rather than personal failures.
The Myth of Overnight Success
Malcolm Gladwell popularized the idea that it takes about 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert in any field. While this number isn't a hard and fast rule, it illustrates an important point: mastery takes time. The motivational speaker Mel Robbins puts it this way:
"You are never going to feel ready. You are never going to feel like you've got it all figured out. That's not how it works. You just have to do it anyway."
Robbins' quote speaks to the heart of the actor's journey. The path to mastery is not about waiting until you feel completely prepared or confident. It's about taking action, stepping into roles, and embracing opportunities for growth, even when - especially when - you feel uncertain.
This ties back to our understanding of the Conscious Competence model. When you're in the stage of Conscious Incompetence or early Conscious Competence, you're acutely aware of what you don't know or what you're struggling with. It's tempting to wait until you feel more ready, but growth happens in the doing. Each audition, each performance, each rehearsal is an opportunity to move forward in your journey, regardless of how 'ready' you feel.
Finding Your Process
Becoming consciously competent doesn't mean working without a process. Instead, it's about discovering and refining your unique approach to your craft. This process will continue to evolve throughout your career. Just as your tastes in food change over time, so too will your approach to acting.
The key is to embrace this evolution. Take things slowly, even when time feels limited. Paradoxically, slowing down often leads to faster, more meaningful progress. This might mean spending more time on character analysis, experimenting with different physical or vocal techniques, or exploring new methods of text analysis.
Your process is personal and should be tailored to your strengths, challenges, and the specific demands of each role. It's not about finding a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather developing a toolkit of techniques and approaches that you can draw upon as needed.
The Joy of Lifelong Learning
As actors, we should never aim to be "finished" with our learning. Movement and growth are the lifeblood of our art. Each answer we find should prompt a better question. The legendary educator and author bell hooks wrote:
"The classroom remains the most radical space of possibility in the academy."
While hooks was speaking about formal education, we can extend this idea to every space where we pursue our craft. The rehearsal room, the stage, even our personal practice spaces can be these "radical spaces of possibility" where we continue to learn, grow, and challenge ourselves.
This perspective transforms our approach to acting. Rather than seeing it as a set of skills to be mastered once and for all, we can view it as an ongoing exploration. Each role, each performance becomes an opportunity for discovery. We're not just executing what we know; we're constantly pushing the boundaries of our understanding and capabilities.
Learning becomes like the act of acting itself: we want to be in constant discovery, not in knowing. This approach keeps our work fresh, authentic, and alive. It allows us to bring a sense of curiosity and openness to each performance, mirroring the way our characters navigate their worlds.
The Power of Coaching
This is where coaching can be an incredibly valid and exciting option. A skilled coach can help you navigate your unique learning journey, providing personalised guidance and support as you explore new techniques and push your boundaries.
Coaching can be particularly valuable because it offers:
Personalised feedback: A coach can identify areas for improvement that you might not see yourself.
Accountability: Regular sessions keep you committed to your growth and development.
New perspectives: A coach can introduce you to techniques or approaches you might not have considered.
Safe space for experimentation: Coaching sessions provide a low-stakes environment to try new things and take risks.
Tailored exercises: A coach can design exercises specifically for your needs and goals.
Remember, even the most accomplished actors continue to work with coaches throughout their careers. It's not a sign of weakness, but a commitment to ongoing growth and excellence.
Embracing the Unknown
Learning can be scary and uncomfortable because it constantly deals with the unknown. But remember, your hopes, goals, and dreams reside on the other side of that fear. As you continue to grow and evolve as an actor, embrace the discomfort of not knowing. It's in these moments of vulnerability and uncertainty that true artistic breakthroughs occur.
This embrace of the unknown is not just about tolerating discomfort; it's about actively seeking out challenges that push you beyond your comfort zone. It might mean taking on roles that scare you, trying performance styles that feel foreign, or exposing yourself to critiques that challenge your assumptions.
Each of these experiences, while potentially uncomfortable, is an opportunity for growth. They force us to question our habits, refine our techniques, and deepen our understanding of our craft.
In conclusion, your journey as an actor is not just about accumulating knowledge and techniques. It's about developing a deep understanding of your own learning process, embracing the ups and downs, and finding joy in the constant evolution of your craft. By understanding the stages of learning, practicing self-compassion, embracing the process over the destination, and maintaining a spirit of curiosity and openness, you set yourself up for a rich, fulfilling career in acting.
Remember, the goal is not perfection, but continuous growth and discovery. So go forth, be curious, be patient with yourself, and remember – the journey is the destination. Every step you take, every challenge you face, is shaping you into the actor you're meant to become.
Comments