Top 10 Things an Actor Should Do Each and Every Day

Many aspiring actors head to New York and Los Angeles every year, and young thespian hopefuls major in theater each year as well. With the many people who desire to act and those who make it as far as auditions, there are certain things that most successful actors have in common, such as perseverance, work ethic and talent. Here are things that you can do on a daily basis to move closer to achieving your acting goals.

1. Send off ten headshots and resumes each day through the mail. Be sure to always customize the cover letter. Some casting directors can be turned off by a bland cover letter addressed to "To Whom It May Concern." Customize the form letter for each possible acting job.

2. Work on your craft each day. This can be in the form of a class, but that can be hard to afford and make time for on a daily basis. If you can't go to a class, read a great acting book, such as "Truth" by Susan Batson, which features exercises for the actor to perfect his art.

3. Run lines each day, even if you don't have an audition the next day. The more you do this, the easier auditioning will become.

4. Watch something to keep current on the entertainment industry. Actors who are auditioning for television need to have at least one episode watched of all the current shows. If you get an audition for a show, you don't want to spend the immediate audition prep time watching the television show in order to know how to treat the audition. For instance, how you approach an audition for a drama will be different than how you approach a show like "The Office."

5. Write in an acting journal. An actor needs to be aware of himself and his emotions, in order to have a rich and balanced ability to give things up to the character he portrays. An acting journal can be a place to record your emotions on the business or tricks you've learned that you want to record and remember.

6. Work on your special skills. Yes, it's related to that "Special Skills" section of the resume that is unique to the performing arts resume. People can include almost anything in that section, because you never know what special skill a casting director needs in an actor. The more unique, the better, as you will be the one to go to in that situation, but don't limit it. Since the special skills should always be honest, work on honing at least one of them on a daily basis.

7. Submit yourself for parts on online casting websites, such as Actor's Access, Talent Postings and Now Casting. Be careful where you submit your resume, though, and never include your home address.

8. Support your actor friends. It takes a lot of support from your fellow actors to rise up on one another's shoulders, and you want to rejoice and celebrate the successes of your friends. Avoid competitiveness by realizing that you are all in this together, and that one's success reflects good on all talented actors.

9. Read a play or a script for at least 20 to 30 minutes. It's hard to make time every day, but you will learn more about drama and what works-and what doesn't-with every script that you read. Try the library to avoid breaking the bank on a play library, then buy the ones that really click for you.

10. Do something completely unrelated to show business. Too many actors focus their entire lives within show business. You'll be a better actor and a healthier human being if you also remember to have a strong, happy life outside of show business and acting.