The Little Things Add Up: Interview with Actress Alison Sweeney
Several years ago, I interviewed award-winning actress Alison Sweeney in an interview originally published in Thrive Global. Here is an excerpt from our interview:
Adam: What is something about you that your fans don’t know?
Alison: After this many years, it’s sort of hard to think of something fans don’t know about me. Perhaps they don’t know that I speak Spanish fluently or that I’ve been riding horses since I was a little kid. Interacting with an animal, communicating and caring for a beautiful creature like a horse, or people who have pets like dogs and cats… I think it’s been a big part of who I am.
Adam: What do you remember most from your time at UCLA?
Alison: I had a brief experience at UCLA… I took a few courses after I graduated high school but my filming commitments at Days of our Lives made it hard to get to campus. I still consider myself a Bruin but of course, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if I had made a different choice.
Adam: What failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your development and success?
Alison: There have been a lot of setbacks and frustrations in my career. A lot of stereotypes associated with being on a soap opera and the challenge of not fitting into the traditional physical description of an actor. I think these challenges have helped shape who I am today, the kind of actor and producer I am, not to mention how proud I am of the career I’ve carved out for myself in spite of these “failures.”
Adam: In your experience, what are the common qualities among those who have been able to enjoy success in the entertainment industry? What advice do you have for those either trying to break in or advance?
Alison: Hollywood in many ways is a very diverse group of people so it’s hard to narrow down one attribute – I guess determination would be the #1 quality. You have to want this more than anything else and be willing to sacrifice a lot to fight for a place in the Entertainment Industry. Some people walk into incredible opportunities; others spend decades fighting for their breakthrough moment. My advice would be to be careful, not fall for those looking to take advantage, but also be willing to take chances and risks when it feels right in your gut. Believe in yourself.
Adam: What are the best lessons you have learned through your career in entertainment that are applicable to those who will never earn a living in front of or behind the camera?
Alison: The best lesson I’ve learned in this town is how important it is to understand the road to success isn’t a straight line. It’s curvy and twisted and doubles back plenty. You have to be willing to take chances, and understand that sometimes something that seems sideways actually gets you way closer to your goal!
Adam: Who are the best leaders you have been around and the biggest influences in your life and what have you learned from them?
Alison: My dad is a real inspiration to me. He used to work in the corporate world, but he’s always been a champion of my creative side. He has guided me and encouraged me, while still working to keep my head out of the clouds… a combination of artistic temperament and common sense. He is a great leader and a great communicator. No matter what my problem is, I know I can call him for guidance!
My parents have been very important influences in my life. My dad [I just] described. My mom always encouraged me to pursue my artistic instincts. She’s a violinist, and I remember even as a kid being so inspired by her talent and her connection to her instrument. It’s so beautiful to see a real artist perform, and I was so lucky to grow up surrounded by that.
Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?
Alison: I suppose something that’s always stayed with me is the adage that no one ever said on their death bed, “I wish I’d worked more.” As important as it is to be motivated and goal-oriented, it’s crucial to remember what it’s all for – what it all means. Whatever that means to you!
Adam: What are three things you think everyone should know?
Alison: Being right doesn’t always help. Don’t complain unless you have a suggestion to make it better. Self-awareness is a rare and precious commodity.
Adam: How can anyone pay it forward?
Alison: I saw a bumper sticker today that read, “I hope something wonderful happens to you today” and I thought wow, what a lovely sentiment. It seems to me that it’s the little things add up. So, maybe just letting someone into your lane when you’re driving, or being patient with a harried server at a restaurant. Those little moments could make a big difference in someone else’s day.
Adam: Is there anything else would you like to share?
Alison: Tune in to Chronicle Mysteries on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. I’m really proud to work with Hallmark Channel because I love that the movies we make are ones families can watch and enjoy together. It’s such a joy to know every day the work I do brings people together and makes audiences happy. I’m really proud to be co-creator, executive producer, and star of this series of movies because they continue to combine my passion for true crime podcasts with my love of serial storytelling and romcom.
Adam Mendler is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, educator, and nationally recognized authority on leadership. Adam is the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one-on-one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal-winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations. Adam has written extensively on leadership and related topics, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders. A Los Angeles native, Adam is a lifelong Angels fan and an avid backgammon player.
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