The third leading role you must adopt to craft a better life story I refer to as the Lead Actor or Actress (for brevity, I’ll just use “Actor”).  There eventually comes a time when we need to execute – actually get in to the scene and play the part we’ve scripted.  Many times this is where we trip up. We’ve done an excellent job of making plans, we’ve problem solved and know exactly what to do – but we simply do not execute.

So how can we improve your execution?  Why would seeing yourself as the Lead Actor in your own life story get you to perform better?  I have several answers to that.

First, I believe, it reminds you that you are still, and are always, beholden to the larger script of your life story.  Whatever person you wanted to be, or whatever goals you wanted to obtain in those quieter, reflective moments when you were explicitly being the Scriptwriter – those are always your goals.  Until you change them (and that can only happen when you are quietly, explicitly reflecting on your life and playing the Scriptwriter), those were, are and will remain to be the major themes and objectives of your life story. You decided you wanted to get in shape.  And you, as Lead Actor, are not allowed to instantaneously rewrite the script.

Does this make sense to you?  Lead Actors cannot change the whole direction of the movie, or even refuse to act out a scene just because they don’t feel like it. Lead Actors do carry the scene.  They are the people the whole scene revolves around. So therefore, their enthusiastic participation is necessary and expected.  But they don’t rewrite the purpose of the scene, nor the outcome that is necessary for the scene to advance the plot of the overarching story line.  Specifically, get your workout in – even a modest workout, and eat the food you planned – even if it’s a modified version of the food, because you aren’t allowed to rewrite the script once you are in the scene.

But, you might ask, doesn’t the Lead Actor have leeway or flexibility in how the scene is performed? Aren’t they the ones who can ad lib (make up new lines) and argue with the Director about the way the scene is being executed?  My answer is: yes! Exactly right!

The Lead Actor does have creative input and the largest amount of decision making authority among the actors.  I want you to have the confidence to challenge things in the moment and to make decisions if you think a better way is available.  But – and this is a big “but” – the Lead Actor still stays true to the script!  They are looking for ways to better execute that script – never rewrite it or change the ending. Lead Actors don’t suddenly make an action scene turn in to a comedic one. They don’t decide to fall in love with the extra instead of the lead actress.  Actors don’t write scripts. They simply change dialogue or make different movements across stage or with their hands… But they always accomplish the story they’ve been handed. They make sure the larger story still moves forward, as planned.

My main point: Lead Actors can ad lib – but they can’t rewrite the script!  Do you see the difference?

(This is an excerpt from my upcoming book “How to Get in Shape! (for Life)”.  Look for it on Amazon in January of 2013.)