I stumbled on this article a few years ago and then bought the book it talks about. Then I lost the book it talks about. Back then, the book cost $4 used. Now the price has skyrocketed. Why? Well, maybe demand for the out-of-print book that’s increased since.

The book is about tennis. And the book is about how to become (almost) the best. And the book applies to a lot of things.

Levels of the game

The book says that there are, broadly speaking, two types of tennis. There’s the tennis that the best in the world play that you watch on TV, and then there’s the tennis you go play afterwords with your neighbor because you got inspired.

The two types of tennis are massively different.

Winning, in either game, requires completely different goals.

In the amateur game

(the one that all but the elite pros play), all you have to do to win is not suck. Or at least suck a little less than the competition. Because the competition scores your points for you. Amateurs don’t play perfect games. They err, they fault, and give away points to their opponents.

So all you have to do to win at the amateur game is to make fewer errors than your opponent. And let him do the rest.

In the pro game

(the one you see on tv), you win by outsmarting your opponent. Through strategy. Your opponent won’t do the work for you, because your opponent makes far less, or even 0 errors.

When amateurs (or novices) run into trouble

Is when they try to play like pros. When they try to do all sorts of tricky stuff and serve at 120mph and worry about spinning the ball. When amateurs and novices do this, they make even more errors and lose faster.

So for an amateur or a novice, the best way to win is just to make fewer errors than your opponent.

How all this (might) apply to acting

First, a disclaimer. I don’t know what I’m talking about. I’m not a seasoned actor. But I’m going to draw an analogy and make a hypothesis.

Don’t try to be Leo. Or Brando. Or anyone else who’s name ends in ‘o.’

Don’t worry about conveying DiCaprio intensity or Al Pacino gravitas or Chris Pratt charm. Because, if you’re like me (going out for co-stars), your job is NOT to win an oscar.

It’s to serve the script and keep the story — and the main characters — moving along. Your job is to be a sharpened and oiled cog in a massive machine.

Focus on not screwing things up.

• Show up on time and be prepared.
• Focus on making other people’s day a little better, rather than focus on your own insecurities.
• Don’t be difficult. If your line is, “Passport, ma’am?” Don’t ask the director for your motivation. It’s to keep your country safe.
• Do what the director or AD or whomever wants you to do, and execute their redirects.
• Smile, say ‘Thank you!’ and exit to the side. And maybe send a thank you card or edible arrangement to the CD or director or whomever picked you for the role.