Auditions…
Actors go on auditions and act like someone else. When we audition we try to act like our best self.

I’ve spent a couple weeks reviewing people who were auditioning for a position at my office. A resume-- presents one’s self on a piece of paper describing work history, education and using a few hopefully well chosen words that paint a picture of just ‘who’ you are. The resumes goal: to get the reviewers attention and the chance for an interview (the audition). After reviewing close to 100 resumes (for one position) and narrowing them down to the top 10 with the right kind of experience the auditions ensued. 10 charming people auditioned acting like their best self. Some nervous, some talkative, all uncomfortable with the special personality-stress-test my boss put them through. We gave them all the same treatment, the same 30 to 45 minutes of our time. Even though in most cases we could tell in the first five minutes of the audition if someone would work out or not. If we wanted to hire them. Job interviews can be torturous auditions. To sell oneself is hard.

Isn’t that always the case? We as people generally make up our minds about other people in the first five minutes we know someone.

This five-minute judgment carries over into dating as well. First dates. Whoever invented the ‘first date’ should be shot. Incredibly stressful situations where you must come off as attractive, funny, witty, smart, interesting and sexy! Now that takes acting! Especially when you’re nervous and you don’t know what to say, what questions to ask? I once had a first date where my date was so nervous he left the dinner table went outside and threw up in the bushes. I watched him do this through the window. I had no idea what to say to him when he returned to the table, other than “are you ok?” We never had a second date. He was too embarrassed and I wasn’t interested.

I would love to have a first date that didn’t feel like a first date at all… but instead felt as comfortable as if I had known the person for 20 years. Where the conversation flowed easily with wit, humor, laughter and genuine interest. Where you could feel the attraction and chemistry and see a sparkle in the other person’s eyes and smile. Where flirting came naturally and you wanted the other person to touch you, kiss you. A first date where you never wanted the evening to end… because you wanted to spend as much time with that person as possible and they wanted the same thing. Where you couldn’t wait to talk to and see that person again.

Job interviews and dates are not the only auditions we participate in. Unwittingly we audition for people every day of our lives. Our auditions go like this:

Will you like me?
Will you call me?
Will you be my friend?
Will you hold my hand?
Will you kiss me?
Will you be my lover?
Will you love me?
Will you be my spouse?
Will you give me a child?
Will you give me a second chance?
Will you change your mind?
Will you believe me?
Will you believe in me?
Will you trust me?
Will you forgive me?
Will you support me?
Will you accept me?
Will you understand me?
Will you encourage me?
Will you take care of me?
Will you be there for me?
Will you care?

This list is endless… we are forever auditioning. I am forever auditioning…  posted by Matildakay at 11:42 PM