"I have a hard time getting motivated to do something that seems like a career move. I've gotten into vague trouble with my agents for turning down work that I thought was exploitative"

Mira Sorvino is expressing her difficulty in getting inspired to do something that she views as a profession move. She is indicating that she has needed to decline work that she felt was exploitative, which this has actually caused her to enter into trouble with her representatives. This recommends that she is unwilling to compromise her values and beliefs in order to even more her profession. It also implies that she knows the power characteristics in the show business, and is not afraid to stand up for what she thinks in. This quote talks to her strength of character and her commitment to her principles. It is a tip that we ought to all make every effort to stay real to ourselves and our values, even when it may be tough.