Hey there,
Good morning and happy Sunday to you.

This is the last week of my Summer break and I am so incredibly grateful to get back to our students and begin teaching. I have missed them and teaching and I am so grateful I feel that way about my job.

How was your week and what are you grateful for today? Please take a moment and answer this, “I am incredibly grateful for ______________________.”

Perfect.

THE KEY TO HITS ARE AT BATS

I’ve touched on this topic before, but I wanted to revisit it because of a recent email exchange between a woman from Greece and myself.

The topic is this – I’m a big believer in reaching out to people who are already where you want to go and asking for their help.

In fact, I believe that any person who has ever had a dream, who went after that dream and eventually made that dream happen, had big-time help along the way.

BUT often, to ever receive that help you must ASK for it.

I don’t mean “a free ride or trying to get something for nothing” help. I mean the exact opposite of that. I mean asking someone whom you respect, “Would you please help me, mentor me, guide me, and teach me? In return, I’ll do whatever it takes to thank you and honor your help, support, and belief in me.”

MIRACLES ARE FOR EVERYONE

A few weeks ago a woman from Greece who recently signed up to receive my newsletters, sent me the following email:

Dear Mr. Jim Jarrett, 
Thank you for the newsletters and the webinars and all the great things in your site.
I come from Greece. I don’t know if you are aware of the situation here (and why should you??!!). In a few words…there is no future. We become poorer and poorer, the unemployment is rising, companies are closing everyday, hospitals are collapsing and the pathetic government is only interested in remaining a government. As you can see there is no hope.
I’ve been looking for the past 3 years, ways of escaping, meaning moving to the USA (too difficult). I’m not an actor; I’m not talented either. I’ve been told that I have an artistic soul but I can’t find my talent, lol. I had some amateur acting experience when I was much younger and the audience was excited (couldn’t see it at that time). I was always too shy and felt embarrassed even in the thought of attending acting lessons (tried it once for some time but still couldn’t get over my shyness and express myself). 
I would really love to attend your school not only for becoming an actor but also mostly for having this life-changing experience. The experience of re-discovering myself and start living normally and happily with motivation and dreams. Unfortunately, I can’t afford it (for the time being or maybe forever!) due to the practical issues you know (I have to have a job to pay my rent, bills, food, visa etc.). I don’t believe in miracles but I really believe that everything is possible in this life! You understand that if I lose hope I will probably start the anti-depressant pills (like most Greeks do)!
I don’t really know why I am writing this letter (or even if it’s going to be read by someone), just felt like doing so.
Thank you for your time. Wishing you all the best
… V

This was my response:
Hi V,
I can’t thank you enough for reaching out to me and taking the time to express all this.
First of all I’m sorry for your situation there and yes I’m well aware of the struggles going on in Greece but your eloquent summary made me understand it on a whole new level. And I’m so sorry for what you and your family, friends, and country are going through.
On a brighter note please know this – if you ever can make it to San Francisco I’ll not only accept you as my student but I’ll scholarship you free of charge.
And btw – you really should believe in miracles – because of your email one just came to you.
I’m sending you my very best wishes for more miracles coming your way, too. And always believe in the power of your thoughts – everything that ever came into existence was first a thought so choose good ones please.
My very best,
Jim

Then her response:
Dear Mr. Jim Jarrett,
After reading your email I was screaming and jumping around the house for 30 mins!!! I never thought you would answer my email (or even read it). Indeed this is a miracle and the best thing that happened to me in 5 years.
I don’t know if a “thank u” is enough. Besides the scholarship you are offering me (YEAHHHHH-still can’t believe it), you gave me the precious gift of dreaming again; you gave me the motive to try harder. I really hope I can make it.
Thank you again for your gifts. I will never forget them.  You have a beautiful soul and I really hope you have a wonderful life because you deserve this.
Wishing you all the best,
V
______________________

I don’t share this with you to make me look like some wonderful guy. I share this with you to inspire you to do the same as she did. You see, all this happened because she sent an email to a complete stranger and this complete stranger “saw her” so extended himself to her.

WHY I BELIEVE IN THIS SO MUCH

Thirty years ago a 29-year-old kid from Northern California with no acting experience whatsoever wrote a letter to one of the world’s greatest acting teachers asking for his help. At the end of his letter he wrote, “I’m starting late and I need great and I’ve done my research and I know you’re great. Would you please help me?”

That kid was me and that person who saw me, who said yes was Sanford Meisner.

I wonder where my life would be today if I hadn’t had the courage to write that letter – to step up to the plate and swing that bat?

I wonder.

I wonder who’s out there waiting to help you?

AN EXERCISE

I’d like to challenge you TODAY to make a list of people you respect very much, who are ahead of where you are and where you want to go and reach out to at least one of them and ask for help.
What have you got to lose?

TWO CAVEATS

1. You can just as easily strike out as get at hit when you go up to the plate so be prepared for “No’s” when you reach out asking people to help you.
2. Just because they say “No” right away doesn’t mean the door is closed so keep trying to build their respect and trust.

WALKING THE TALK – I NEED YOUR HELP PLEASE

This week my daughter packs up her car and moves from Northern California to New York City to begin her career as an actor and she needs a place to live.

I would greatly appreciate any help you could give to me in helping her find a place to live. She’s moving there with her friend who is also an incredibly talented actress so they’ll need a two-bedroom, ideally in Brooklyn but anywhere safe, reasonable, and nice.

If you know of something or someone that can help me help my daughter, I would be so incredibly grateful to you.

You know how to reach me and I can’t wait to see what happens!!!

Thank you in advance and my very best to you,
Jim