It’s simple, pithy, and cliche. It’s also something worth reminding yourself of more often than you think. There are two films that convey this message really well, spoiler alerts for both:

In Rental Family, the protagonist is an actor whose job is pretending to be people’s family members. For example, a mom hires him to be her daughter’s dad to help her get into a good school. The twist: the daughter didn’t know he wasn’t her dad. 

When the actor first learns of this role, he is incredulous; the stakes are high, personal feelings get involved, and his own father wasn’t even around. It’s a lot of responsibility. What if he slips up? 

Trust yourself, his coworker tells him. The actor won’t be able to control the experience or how things turn out. All he can do is prepare for the incredibly important role, and trust himself to respond accordingly.

In Wonderman, the film industry doesn’t allow people with superpowers to act. The protagonist is an aspiring actor who has to hide his abilities, not only because he needs the work, but because his abilities can be incredibly destructive when he feels angry. His mother and brother know about these abilities and treat it like a secret. The actor is constantly worried about slipping up, and keeps himself distanced from people, except for a new friend who acts as a mentor.

This friend challenges the actor, asking him, “What if you are more than your condition?” In other words, these abilities are just a small part of him; if he keeps spending so much of his energy covering them up, he won’t be able to give himself into the present moment and express himself fully as an actor. He needs to take the leap of faith and trust himself.

In the end, the process of learning to let go and improving as an actor changes the protagonist, and he gains control of his abilities because he learns to navigate his emotional landscape. 

Two great reminders that you don’t get to control what you get out of the work, only what you put into it. Let go and trust yourself.