#30: Creating Your Own Luck

Bryan was auditioning for a ‘Mars’ advert; the brief - rappel down a rockface athletically and eat a Mars bar halfway down! The 23-year-old waxed lyrical about his extensive climbing experience, even offering to abseil off the 3-storey building right away. 

The casting director was impressed, the only tiny issue being that -- Bryan had never climbed in his life! Bryan quickly organised a one-day crash course (hopefully not literally) with a blonde surfer type.

They headed out to a 40-foot boulder and after being shown the ropes by Chad, Bryan tried to edge backwards, but felt himself unable to move. Mid panic attack, it took all his courage to tentatively rappel down, before relieving himself of his lunch in a nearby bush. Thankfully, his confidence grew and by day-end he was bouncing down the rockface, even doing a 360 mid-air.

On casting day, the first two actors nervously inched their way down the building. Bryan instead, confidently jumped off the roof, did his 360 and with one more big push landed catlike on the floor – the other actors could go home – the part was his!

This ‘fake it till you make it’ attitude helped Bryan as he tried to become an actor. He would do improv, stand-up, every acting class going – anything to help his craft and earn some cash. 

He talked himself into being a mid-flight wedding celebrant, took small parts and worked several construction jobs. Eventually, he found consistent work on a soap opera, where he honed his skills and the belief that he belonged.

This led to a big break as ‘Hal’ for 7 seasons on ‘Malcolm in the Middle’. The 8th season was cancelled, which seemed like rotten luck initially. 

Though, filming in a new series about a teacher gone rogue was just starting. Bryan read the script and was mesmerised – great characterisations, complex plots, surprises that left you desperate to know what happens next. He knew the writer, Vince Gilligan, from way back when he landed a bit part on X-Files – one of the 100s of gigs he had said yes to. 

They chatted about the role, and both saw the same ‘beaten down’ invisible man, who had given up. Bryan could visualise this man so clearly – this was his moment. Vince was convinced too. From selling Mars bars to a starring role on ‘Breaking Bad.’ 

Bryan Cranston was now -- ‘Walter White’.

WISDOM 💎

The only way to get lucky is to be prepared for luck to find you.’

'Transcendent moments come when you’ve laid the groundwork and you’re open to the moment. They happen when you do the work. In the end, it’s about the work.’

Bryan Cranston

Tip 1 - A SMART PLAY ✅

Increase the odds.

‘Hustling isn’t complicated. How much energy you put out dictates how much heat you generate. I decided to be a furnace. I felt the hotter I could get, the higher odds of something catching fire.

Bryan would send postcards to directors informing them of small roles he had taken. He didn’t expect anything back, but sublimely the message was getting through – this guy works hard.

Tip 2 - AVOID 🚩

Letting negativity in. 

When Bryan worked in construction, he mentioned that there was a lot of dark energy and cynicism. He needed to shield himself to protect his dream.

Tip 3 - ACTION 💪

If you really want to achieve something, how can you work harder or get your name out there?

How can you become a furnace?

Check out Bryan's awesome autobiography - 'A Life in Parts'