Dr Layne McDonald on Blogger

(Every blog post read here helps to raise funds for families in need. Education that gives back. Simple. Powerful. Thank you for reading.) An important part of success in life is the ability to lead. It is important that we not only be able to lead others but be willing to lead ourselves. No one succeeds in life by simply following others. Sometimes we simply must strike a bold new path for ourselves. Being a good leader is more than simply being at the forefront of the crowd. A leader must act. Too often in America, we simply accept that someone looks or sounds like a leader and too rarely do we actually look at the actions that leader performs -- and that is the true test of leadership. However, in order to become good leaders ourselves, we need to concentrate on actions rather than simple appearances. The title of this article refers to eight steps, but do not think of these as progressive steps like so many recipes or instruction manuals describe. Instead, think of these as actions

   (Every blog post read here helps to raise funds for families in need. Education that gives back. Simple. Powerful. Thank you for reading.) "We will never know how really good we are as leaders unless we are leading people to be better than they think they are." "Poor performance is less harmful to a leader than mediocre performance disguised as good performance." "Most leaders are striving to get the wrong results or the right results in the wrong ways." "The lowest forms of leadership involve rewards and punishments."   "Getting along is not necessarily getting results." "If you can't feel it, you can't lead it, and they won't do it." "Leadership is the trim tab of all careers." "Leadership is seeing hope in any adversity." "To make a difference, be the difference." "In leadership, you don't have to expect the worse, you just have to make the most of it when it happens.&qu

  (Every blog post read here helps to raise funds for families in need. Education that gives back. Simple. Powerful. Thank you for reading.) "He Hate Me" was the nickname of Rod Smart, a leading rusher in 2002 for the Las Vegas Outlaws of the now defunct XFL pro football league. Looking for an edge, the XFL allowed players to put nicknames on their uniforms.     "I was always saying, 'he hate me,' all through camp in Vegas," Smart said. "If I didn't get the ball, I'd talk to the other running backs and say, 'He hate me, man; this coach hate me.' I was always saying that."     Smart put He Hate Me on the back of his number 32 jersey, and now the name lives in lore, though XFL has been out of business for years.    When I first saw Rod Smart play and his "He Hate Me" jersey, I thought, "Forget about football. That's a leadership lesson!"  That's because "He Hate Me" and leadership often go hand-in

(Every blog post read here helps to raise funds for families in need. Education that gives back. Simple. Powerful. Thank you for reading.) Do you want to make a living working in Hollywood?  If so, you will hear a lot of tips and good advice.  For example, you will be told that practice makes perfect and that having the right look is important.  These are great tips to make it big in Hollywood; however, there is one step that you must take.  That step is making the right connections.  You may be surprised how being connected can help you with a career in Hollywood.   Having the right connections can help you get into the right acting classes.  Connections can also help you get a spot with the best acting coach.  Acting coaches only take on a limited number of clients at a time, but if you come highly rated and recommended or have a connection, an exception may be made.  Not only that, but an acting coach and classes can give you experience, which looks great on a resume.   When looking

(Every blog post read here helps to raise funds for families in need. Education that gives back. Simple. Powerful. Thank you for reading.) Are you an aspiring actor who has landed an audition?  If so, is this your first one?  If it is, you may be nervous and curious as to what will happen.  Unfortunately, there is no easy answer.  Auditions come in several different formats.  It depends on the preference of those in charge; however, there are many common steps.   First and foremost, it is important to verify the authenticity of your invitation.  Does a Hollywood agent represent you?  If so, you should be good to go.  Agents have experience and connections that prevent them from sending their clients on a wild goose chase.  If you were contacted for an audition, did you submit your resume, portfolio, or headshot?  If not, you may be the victim of a scam.  Someone calling you unexpectedly is rare, especially if you haven’t marketed yourself.  So, use your best judgment and the internet t

(Every blog post read here helps to raise funds for families in need. Education that gives back. Simple. Powerful. Thank you for reading.) Do you want to work in Hollywood as an actor or an actress?  If so, you may spend hours a day practicing your trade.  Yes, it is important to perfect your acting skills, but it is also important to the get the process of finding a job started.  To do so, you will first need to find a good photographer.   As great as it is to hear that you should find a good photographer if you want to become a Hollywood actor or actress, you may be wondering why.  Unfortunately, many newcomers to the scene underestimate the importance of a good headshot.  You may be surprised just how much one can do for your career.   Headshots are required by many talent or casting agencies.  This is important, as it often helps to “weed,” through applicants.  For example, if a casting agency is looking for a plus size actor for an opening in a television show, they can automatica

(Every blog post read here helps to raise funds for families in need. Education that gives back. Simple. Powerful. Thank you for reading.) Do you want to have a Hollywood career?  Whether you want to work in front of the camera or behind it, you need to have the right look.  After all, appearances are everything in Hollywood.   Even though many people know appearances are everything in Hollywood, many are confused as to what type of appearance they should strive for.  First and foremost, it is important to be yourself.  There are many situations in which doing so can work to your advantage.  For example, do you want to work as a Hollywood costume designer?  If so, wearing your own fashionable, but homemade clothes can give you an edge.  Just be sure to point out your outfit and mention its origins.   A popular look in and around Hollywood is that of trend.  Yes, Hollywood is known for being trendy.  You will want to look trendy but know there is a time and place for it.  That time and