the treadmill and Will Smith

Will Smith is an amazing actor. I can’t attest to his actual character. But his acting? Well, there’s no doubt it’s great.

However, Will’s success isn’t attributed solely to the fact that he is a talented actor. There are plenty of great actors out there who never reach Will’s level of success. In fact, I’m sure for every great actor we see in a film, there are thousands of equally as great actors who may never even be in a film.

So what sets Will apart? In a recent interview, he said this:

“The only thing that I see that is distinctly different about me is I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill. I will not be out-worked, period. You know, you might have more talent than me, you might be smarter than me, you might be sexier than me, you might be all of those things. You got it on me in nine categories. But if we get on the treadmill together, right? There are two things: You’re getting off first, or I’m going to die. It’s really that simple, right? You’re not going to out-work me.

It’s such a simple, basic concept. The guy who is willing to hustle the most is going to be the guy that just gets that loose ball. The majority of people who aren’t getting the places they want or aren’t achieving the things that they want in this business is strictly based on hustle. It’s strictly based on being out-worked; it’s strictly based on missing crucial opportunities. I say all the time if you stay ready, you ain’t gotta get ready.” 

This industry is unpredictable. There is so much I can’t control as an actress. I can’t control the number of dollars I make, the number of jobs I book, or even the number of auditions I get (for the most part).

This industry is competitive. There are thousands of actresses competing for only a handful of jobs. There are thousands of actresses who move to “Hollywood” every year to try to do exactly what I’m doing.

But I’m sure there are also thousands of actresses who leave this town every year because they give up, because they don’t stay on the treadmill.

I tell you what: I may not be the best actress. I may not be the smartest actress. I may not be the sexiest actress. But I will be the most hard-working actress. I will be the most persistent actress.

I’m on the treadmill. And I’m not going anywhere. In fact, my laces are already tied.