Dear Toni,

My name is Clair Sinnett.  Like many of us in Los Angeles I have held many jobs and worn many hats.  I have been a casting director, actress, talent scout and a writer.  My new book about Acting is doing great and Borders bookstores have set up a great book tour for me.  Does it make sense to stay in town to take advantage of the performing opportunities?  Or should I consider myself blessed that I'm in such demand internationally as a teacher and lecturer? I leave for Rome and County Tipperary just as the Pilot season kicks in.

Thank you,
Clair Sinnett

Dear Clair,

In answering your question I feel as if I am looking at myself in a mirror.  It sounds like your life, though exciting, is exhausting because you are wearing so many hats.  I know many women like you who are mult-tasking., whether it be in conjunction with work and family or just trying to survive with dignity .  The business, which drew you here to Los Angeles, keeps sending you away, because you have to make money and survive.  I say stop, take a breath and, like the captain of a boat, chart your course.

Please ask yourself the following.  I call them the W's.

• Why am I here?
• What do I wish to achieve?
• What do I have to do to make it all happen?
• In what way shall I approach the outcome I know I am destined for while at the same time keeping my dignity?
• And, most importantly: In what ways should I channel my energies to make the money I need to survive and prosper?

You already appear to be independent and successful.  Making a choice, any choice, helps to lead you in the right direction.  I say this all the time to my students.  Make a choice, stick with it and you will find one choice leads you to another and in turn you will travel on many paths.  These paths can lead you to where you are suppose to be.  Any choice is better then no choice at all. 

Clair, it seems to me you have made a choice and that choice has led you to success, because you are selling your books, making public appearances, and making things happen rather then sitting back, idle, hoping things will come your way.  Good for you!  It will all lead you back to wherever it is you are supposed to be.  That might be here or perhaps another city, but you will have gained insight and power during the process of making the journey.   The timing will be right for someone to say, "We need a strong lady for this part, someone like Clair Sinnett," and there you will be! 

A friend once told me told me that her agent called her and told her, "I cannot believe this!  The breakdown for this role required someone who looks just like you!" (I cannot name this woman, as she is well known.).  When her agent called in to submit the woman to the casting director for the role the casting director said, "We just want someone who looks like her, not really her." Upon hearing this information my friend just had to laugh.   Hello, is anyone home!  I guess the moral of this story is:  Do Your thing, make your choices, have your W's all figured out, and your ship will sail home. You will have strength, power and understanding.  The moment will be right and it will all fall in place.  And if it doesn’t, I will give you this woman’s phone number. 

Thank you for taking the time to write.
Toni Attell

Toni Attell is a hypnotherapist and acting coach. For people interested in her acting classes please call (818) 787-8685. For hypnotherapy go to www.hypnosis4you.net.