Meet Jared

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jared. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jared below.

Jared, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I love this question and it is also complex. Firstly, I believe purpose is, whether we realize it or not, inherent. We have intrinsic worth simply because we exist, and with that comes a reason to exist. We, myself included, spend our lives searching for our ultimate purpose, the answer to “Why am I here?” Our assumption is that our ultimate purpose is something we must DO, something unique to us that gives meaning to the life we live. If we could just figure that thing out, we would be satisfied. Does this resonate with you? It was true for me. But now I know (and usually remember!) my purpose is twofold: one passive and one active. I believe my ultimate purpose lies in simply being in healthy relationship with those around me, regardless of my vocation. And believe me, this is hard to remember at times, but when I do, I find my stress level drops significantly. How did I find this? Buckle up. This is something everyone must consider and decide for themselves. But if I’m being fully honest, I found this when I learned and believed Jesus loved me just because I exist, even if I still acted like a punk sometimes. I can’t tell you what a feeling of hope this gave me! The active piece of my purpose is an ongoing process, and I suspect it will remain so until I push up daisies. I have found additional peace when I consider “my purpose” might be more than one specific thing until the end of my borrowed time. I continually seem to be finding my purpose as I discover my passions. When I know what I am gifted at, I do those things, and I find it brings me and those around me joy. That feels like purpose to me. It might be acting in a movie. It might be editing a novel someone has poured themselves into for years. It might be getting together with a friend and speaking encouraging words to them or just being with them. When I consider my purpose might be fulfilled one day at a time in a number of ways, it brings me peace, joy, and anticipation for what may come.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

In my acting work, I love bringing a story to life and eliciting reactions from an audience. But I also love the real-life relationships that I build. A lot of the people I’ve met on set have become good friends with whom I stay in touch today. I love making people laugh and encouraging them, and those I am surrounded by regularly confirm this is true. Hearing people’s stories and learning why and about what they are passionate is life-giving to me. I am often the comic relief, but I am a solid sounding board as well. I also enjoy book editing because I get to partner with others in their passions and projects to help them fulfill a dream. I recently shared a script I had written with my acting class, and the feeling of initial vulnerability and then elation after receiving positive feedback is terrifying and exhilarating. I relish being a part of that journey for others.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Gratitude, humility, and kindness go a long way. This industry can bloat your head if you’re not careful, but arrogance slowly turns you into someone you never intended to be, someone people no longer respect or enjoy working with. We can also become entitled if we’re not careful. I learned that being thankful for things on a regular basis actually took some effort. I had to make it a habit. (And it’s still in process!) The point is, it takes work, but being consistently grateful changes our internal composure, our outlook on life circumstances, and our interactions with others. Above all, I think it’s critical to put people first, regardless of the job. Kindness is often so simple and goes such a long way. Here’s an example: I was recently waiting for a plane and the gate attendant had just announced (for the second time) that we were just waiting for the crew to deplane after all the passengers got off so they could get to us. Then we’d be on our way. Not fifteen seconds later a lady asked the attendant what we were waiting on. Then when the attendant told her (again) it was the crew, the lady asked if they were already at the airport. I went to the counter and discreetly told the attendant that I heard her announcements and that she mattered. She thanked me and immediately started smiling and joking with her coworker about it. Then when she scanned my ticket to board the plane a while later she thanked me again. It obviously mattered a lot to her. It just takes a little effort to make someone feel valued. Simple kindness tells someone they are seen and they matter, and those are the people we all want to work with and be around.

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Contact Info:

• Website: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/jaredhernandez
• Instagram: @cubanjared
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jared.hernandez.77/
• Linkedin: Jared Hernandez
• Twitter: @cubanjared
• Youtube: Jared P. Hernandez

Image Credits

Paul Gregory, Chris Carter