In this insightful conversation, DaJuan Johnson—founder of Think Bigger Coaching and a working actor known for his roles on shows like Bosch—dives deep into the crucial role mindset plays in an actor's journey. As someone who’s helped countless actors book their first or next big role in TV and film, DaJuan shares practical tools, a powerful perspective shift, and a call to embrace long-term career thinking. Whether you’re in a booking streak or experiencing a slow period, DaJuan’s advice will ground and inspire you to stay focused, stay creative, and think bigger.
Hey, I’m DaJuan Johnson, founder of Think Bigger Coaching—and I’m also a working actor. At Think Bigger Coaching, I help professional actors book their first or their next big role in television and film with what I call a booking mindset.
What is a booking Mindset?
People in the industry call me “the mindset guy” because, from my experience, talent will only take you so far. Mindset is what keeps you in the game. So, what does that actually look like? Well, the truth is, we all go through ups and downs—times when we’re working and times when we’re not. The real question is: how do you develop the mindset to stay focused, stay in it, and make sure this isn’t just a five-year sprint but a 50-year career?
What would you say to actors who feel like it’s a bad time to be in the industry?
I think right now is the perfect time to work on mindset. It’s easy to have a great mindset when things are going well—when you’re booking and everything’s happening. But the real test is: can you maintain that energy and focus when things are quiet? One of the things I’ve been talking about with my community lately is this idea: don’t co-sign on other people’s low-grade energy. What do I mean by that? I had an actor come up to me at a commercial audition and say, “It’s just so hard out there. Nobody’s auditioning.” And I looked at them and said, “Yeah, I don’t co-sign on that.” Because when you start to agree with someone else’s limiting beliefs, you start to take them on as your own. That’s the energy you begin to attract. This isn’t about toxic positivity—it’s about knowing the level I want to vibrate on has to stay high. So right now, more than ever, it’s important not to co-sign on other people’s fear, doubt, or negativity.
How can actors best position themselves to get more auditions?
Staying sharp on your materials—your self-tapes, your reels, your footage. Go shoot something! Go to a place like Reelarc—seriously. I’m not just plugging it. There are things you can do to make sure your side of the street is clean. Get your best representation, find the right manager or agent, and make sure you’re ready when those opportunities come.
Because the best auditions? They usually come when you have a team. I don’t want to discourage anyone, but that’s just how it works. And once you’ve done all that—got the materials, the reps, the game plan—there’s another step we tend to forget. You have to learn how to float. We’re in an industry where “hurry up and wait” is real. Sometimes you’ve done everything you can—and now, it’s time to let go and float. I also want to say this: a huge leap that many actors resist is creating your own content. It doesn’t even have to be a big project. Start with social media. Keep creating. Keep yourself in that creative flow.
What can actors do to make their self-tapes stand out?
The big thing I always say about self tape? Be you. Be as dropped-in and honest as possible. Don’t overthink it. Don’t try to “do a thing” to stand out. Just show up and do great work, over and over. I remember doing a whole year of self-tapes and wondering, “Is anyone watching these?” But that’s not my job. My job is to keep showing up and doing great work.
Any last words of wisdom you can share us?
Finally, I’ll leave you with this: a lot of us want to manifest success, but manifestation isn’t just about wishing. It’s about stepping into a new identity. You can’t wait to become a series regular after you book it. You have to start thinking, acting, and being that version of yourself now.
And that includes the way you think about self-tapes. I hear it all the time—“I’m better in the room.” But you’re only better in the room if you believe you’re better in the room.
So ask yourself: what kind of identity do I need to step into now to create the reality I want?
Because that’s the mindset shift that changes everything.
DaJuan Johnson reminds us that success in this industry isn’t just about talent—it’s about mindset, resilience, and stepping into the identity of the actor you’re becoming. In a world full of ups and downs, your mindset is your anchor. So keep your materials sharp, protect your energy, and show up like the series regular you already are.
Whether you're building your reel, auditioning, or navigating a quiet season, remember—you’re playing the long game. Keep creating, keep believing, and most importantly… think bigger.
✨ To dive deeper into DaJuan’s coaching and resources, visit ThinkBiggerCoaching.com.
