And as professional voice actors, we want to be on top of our game and get every auditioned job. However, you may feel pressure to be the best right out of the starting gate or feel stress if you are not getting the jobs and bookings at the rate of your VO colleagues. With all this desire for success, you may feel pressure not just from competing in the industry but also from yourself. For lasting success, learn to pace yourself throughout the year and see your progress grow over time.
Be realistic about where you are. As we start 2018, this is a perfect time to assess where you are as a voice actor. Did you meet your 2017 goals? Great. If not, where can you improve in 2018? Do you need training, practice, …or a vacation?! Start out right by asking the hard questions and taking time to appreciate how far you have come and what you need to get to your next level in the voiceover field. In his book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey says, “Put first things first.” Decide on what’s most important by priority and then act.
Give you a break, it will happen. There are many talented and not so talented working voice actors all around us. Don’t compare your performance as a VO actor to others. Give you a break and grow at your own pace. Continue developing your skills in performing, marketing, web presenting, and audio editing. Work systematically and pace your time to build in each area of your voiceover career and business. Remember…
“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live
the life he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.”
Henry David Thoreau
Have fun. Voiceover and voice acting can be a fun career. If you find that all your efforts are not garnering you any enjoyment, you may want to think if voiceover work is your calling. Life is short, and voiceover success takes a lot of time and effort. If you enjoy the profession, pace yourself so you will not burn out at any point. Voice actor Bill DeWees’ has some great tips in his YouTube video, “Set YOUR pace in 2018.”
Break a lip!