If the big fish in a small pond idea isn’t resonating with you . . . if those bags are itching to be zipped . . . and your car has a full tank of gas (don’t forget those regular oil changes), my suggestion to approach your business of being a talent locally before globally has fallen on deaf ears. You are the talent determined to wait tables until you get that big break. Swimming upstream doesn’t make you bear brunch, it just makes you a different kind of fish!
For our brave desperate fish friends, I have a few suggestions that might help you plan and navigate your move. [If you were a planner, you probably wouldn’t be moving to begin with, so I realize these suggestions might be hard to heed. Your efforts will be rewarded within the next few weeks and months if you can hang in there and accomplish these things prior to jumping on the Greyhound.]
(1) Assess your mode of travel.
What is the state of your automobile? If you aren’t a mechanic, ask the mechanic who sees your car regularly if your vehicle has the ability to make it to the desired destination. If he/she advises some work be done, do it first. Don’t get to a new city where you don’t know your way around and have to find someone to fix a growing problem. Trust the relationship you have had for a while.
If you’re not driving, figure out before landing in your destination how you will get from point A to point B. Is a bike sufficient and will you still appear presentable after the trek? Do you understand the public transit options and how to navigate them?
(2) Assess the time frame.
How long is going to take you to get to the desired city from where you currently live? Plan food, gas, music, lodging, etc, before putting your foot on the pedal. Running out of money before you get there is a bad way to start a new venture! Know where you’ll need to be to get set up and identify necessities near where you’ll be staying.
(3) Assess financial resources.
Have you budgeted money for individual meals, gas, a safety fund for unexpected costs, and a cushion to rely on while looking for employment, paying deposits for rental, etc? You should have a savings account that can keep you afloat for at least 6 months. Don’t touch it to get there, but not being stressed about paying next month’s rent will allow you to fully focus on your intended goal and allow you to get involved as heavily as possible as soon as you cross the border!
(4) Assess your lifestyle.
Realize that your lifestyle is likely going to change drastically when you put yourself on a fixed budget. Look at the cost of living comparatively between the city you currently live in and the destination city. (Take that into account when creating your 6 month cushion bank account!) Mentally prep to make the sacrifices that are needed – keeping a positive mental outlook is key to developing a great network and that is your first item of business upon arrival.
(5) Assess your product.
Refigure who you are and where you fit in this new market. Who is your direct competition demographically? What strengths or competitive edge can you offer? What physical changes might be necessary? Product success is all about demand – you are the product as the talent, so make sure the market needs what you have to offer. And more importantly, be sure you have set your product up for success by having a competitive resume, headshot, comp card, portfolio, skill set, reel, and attitude!
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