Have you ever felt FOMO? That’s the ol’ fear of missing out, of course.

It’s used a lot in sales because if you can be made to feel as though you’re missing out on something everyone else is experiencing, you can be triggered into spending money (and you know I’m all about identifying ways we’re being sold to).

Welp, I wanna share with you a favorite vid.

This is a fairness study in which Capuchin monkeys are given different rewards for doing the same task.

Obviously, a lot is being measured in this study and it’s a delight to watch for several reasons (and of course, the YouTube comments are awesome, because there’s discussion about whether or not the unfairly treated monkey ever earned a grape after all this… which is a further study on fairness and I just geek out like crazy on watching the rationalizations humans use for our understanding of human — and animal — behavior).

But what I want to focus on is the fact that the monkey who is not earning grapes actually sees she is missing out and has a problem with that.

It’s not the cucumber that’s a problem; it’s that her colleague is receiving a grape for doing the same thing.

This is no different than the actor who does “everything right” seeing another actor moving up through the tiers to guest-star land (or repped-ville or whatever status it is we’re comparing) while she sits at co-star status (or in the land of the unrepped or whatever).

Here’s the difference when “the grape” is something being SOLD by testimonials or examples of clients who’ve booked, and so forth: Our monkey mind is triggered to believe that everyone who does the thing we’re being sold gets the grape and that if we just do the thing we’re being sold TOO, we can earn a grape.

Thing is… maybe we can’t.

Because there’s not a lab researcher specifically handing out cucumbers and grapes in order to collect data in some experiment on fairness.

There’s an industry. There’s this showbiz thing. There’s these complex and long-reaching relationships. There’s the bottom line of money. And fairness has never once been offered up as a feature of Hollywood.

When you find yourself feeling as though, “Man! I just need to do THAT and I’ll get to the next tier,” I’d like you to ask yourself a couple of things before charging in (and especially before charging in and then having a little fit when your identical behavior doesn’t earn you a grape).

  • Ask yourself whether you want to do the thing, first of all. You don’t have to. You’re not a research animal who must behave a certain way to earn a treat.
  • Ask yourself whether you’re being shown an example of someone earning a treat as a sales tactic. Remind yourself that those are unique results not assured of everyone.
  • Feel whether your sense of FOMO is being triggered because of manipulation and then decide whether your monkey mind is in charge (it’s okay if it is; it can be powerful).
  • Make a decision based on how you’ve settled your monkey mind down and checked in with your gut.

When have you felt your monkey mind triggered in the FOMO direction? How have you settled it down?

Me? I just have to look at my Instagram feed while it seems everyone in the world is at Coachella.

I have zero interest in going to Coachella. Like, less than zero. I was born in the ’70s and I’ve done my share of crowded-places-lots-of-partying-noisy-singing-along experiences over the years. When I hit a concert these days, it’s going early, finding a seat in the front row of the balcony, and sitting while all the kids slamdance below to music from my youth. Unapologetically.

Yet something about seeing all these happy people bouncing around, screaming along to songs I barely recognize among the noise of the crowd, dressed in questionable but clearly fashionable things I don’t quite understand triggers in me the, “I could have that much fun if I just did the same damn thing they’re doing” part of my monkey mind.

I feel myself actually raging on the cage for my grape!

And then I remind myself of all the logistical and logical reasons that experience I’m “missing out on” is one I’m missing out on by choice.

And I relax my monkey mind.

And I’m happy for those who are getting a grape out of doing that thing that I don’t have to — and don’t want to — do anyway.

I’m not triggered for long because I know what part of my brain is being triggered.

Do you? [Agency Meetings for Actors and FOMO with Bonnie Gillespie]

Something to think about as you explore the many options you have for the things you do as a creative.

Should you find yourself wanting to do something that aligns with your gut, your goals, and your timeline, you do it. You’re in control.

Know when your monkey mind is trying to take over. Settle it down and let it know you can go get all the grapes you want and that this moment of FOMO is just brought to you by some act of manipulation and marketing that is very effective.

You get to decide how effective it is ON YOU by what you do when you’re exposed to the message.

Isn’t that awesome?

Pop your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to jam with you about this!

Wanna be sure your tools *and* your mindset are in peak form? Let us get you in gear with some FREE training right now!

Woo HOO!


Bonnie Gillespie is living her dreams by helping others figure out how to live theirs. Wanna work with Bon? Start here. Thanks!

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10 Comments

  1. Caity FitzGerald April 18, 2017 at 8:15 am

    I loved this! It’s something I’ve been practicing for the last 6 months and it’s sooo hard at first – well, goes hand-in-hand with allowing and not forcing things – the whole really learning to listen to your heart and gut brains and not your monkey brain. Yes! And when you do relax the monkey brain and drop expectations, it’s amazing what will fall into place for you by “accident”. Love the post, Bonnie! Hugs!

    Reply
  2. Bonnie Gillespie April 18, 2017 at 8:32 am

    Yes, Caity! Totally! It takes patience and practice (just like yoga or meditation or anything else that really can transform our happiness and wellness) but MAN is it powerful stuff. Glad you loved this. Thank you for stopping by! XO

    Reply
  3. Remy O'Brien April 18, 2017 at 8:32 am

    Funny. I found myself going through that this weekend.
    I got all UGH for a little bit and then shook it off with
    my new mantra I’ve been using the last month or so.
    “God will provide and I’m where I need to be for this moment”
    It’s great to be in a place where you realize you are being triggered and
    squash it before it ruins your day

    Reply
  4. Bonnie Gillespie April 18, 2017 at 8:36 am

    SO true, Remy! Heck, I still get triggered, but recognizing that makes such a difference! <3 Take that power BACK. See you soon, lovely! XO

    Reply
  5. Jonathan Riggs April 18, 2017 at 5:25 pm

    O, Bonnie! Do you ever know the mind of the creative. This one is a keeper for me, for sure. Thank you.

    Reply
  6. Bonnie Gillespie April 19, 2017 at 3:18 am

    😉 Thanks, Jonathan! So glad you enjoyed it!!

    Reply
  7. Judyth Brooke April 19, 2017 at 11:07 am

    I love how you talk about alignment and gut instinct. Your connection to those elements, and how you relate them to the actor experience, lets me know I have found a resource (you) that is right for me. Can’t wait to connect more!

    Reply
  8. Alexandra Cohler August 12, 2019 at 10:18 am

    YES — this was so helpful to read! I’m in an in-between phase in my career right now but things are moving and I find myself MORE seduced by the FOMO advertising than before, thinking .. “This person got these results and all I have to do is give $$$ to have the same thing!” Um, no!! My journey will happen when it happens.

    Reply
    1. Bonnie Gillespie August 12, 2019 at 11:32 am

      Right ON! Alexandra, I’m so glad this was helpful. 🙂 Stay inspired!

      Reply

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