Andy Lauer is an actor, or as he terms it, an "artist in the visual media." This is a more a fitting title for how Andy lives because he finds his success in how he performs his art. He has been a key figure in numerous television sitcoms and movies, and is currently directing a film. Although he has experienced a great deal of material wealth, this is not how he judges his success.
Andy received a bachelors degree in journalism and advertising, but had known that he wanted to be an actor since he was nine years old. Andy saw the value in education, though, and decided to complete this while also pursuing his acting career. His education has made him a more well-rounded person and helped him achieve success in his career. The business skills he learned in school he finds invaluable today. He manages his time and finances better. He sets his goals high and then begins the process of accomplishing them. And, he understands people better–their motivations and their challenges. In his field, Andy works with a variety of different types of people who have different ideologies. Understanding people, and accepting the differences, has helped him to get where he is now.
College life set the tone for the rest of Andy’s life. He still cannot get away from the semester system. He finds that it is a healthy system to be in, though. He works hard, studies, crams for deadlines, takes summer breaks, goes to the library and explores new environments. Andy believes that his success has come about largely because he knows the value of balance. Though he works incredibly hard and has several projects going on at the same time, he makes time for fun and exploration. This becomes more difficult to do the older people get, he thinks, perhaps because we have to give up more to do it, but it is so necessary. The time off rejuvenates him and is crucial for continued success.
Success to Andy is doing what you you love. He has a passion for acting and believes that everyone should find something to do that they are passionate about. Even when projects don’t work out well, he finds that everything he does is a great experience. By being passionate about his career and balanced in his life, he finds success even in "failures" because he has learned something new. Nothing lasts forever and both successes and failures are fleeting.
"Although I have experienced some success, I am still, at heart, a frustrated artist who is always trying to get another project off the ground. I always struggle for something new. My success comes in plateaus."
Andy advises students to find their passion and to keep a balanced life. He believes that we all need to be kind and considerate to everyone we interact with. Doing so will help each of us live more successful lives. He believes that stability is a trap and every once in awhile we need to walk away from our security blanket, no matter what our age. Andy practices what he preaches. He recently walked away from a very lucrative acting job on a sitcom because he felt he was going through the motions and not living up to his potential. He has since been concentrating on finding additional work which will challenge him and just received a movie offer which he believes will do just that. By taking stock of yourself every so often, Andy thinks you will once again see talents and skills which may have been hidden.
