Those of us who are self-employed know all too well what it’s like to struggle with optimism. We often face days when the world seems to be working for everyone but us. Voiceover talents must contend with not just the regular struggles of maintaining a business but can also suffer struggles from personal rejections like lost voiceover jobs. I’ve found that depending on the day of the week, finding the will to keep forging on toward one’s heartfelt goals may take several or many methods of encouragement. Life is too short, so make a point to find and use what will keep you motivated toward your best life.
Keep Your Encouragers Close
I keep handy Podcast files of encouraging speakers and programs. On my days when my voiceover business is not going as I think it should, I listen to motivational speakers like Willie Jolley and programs like the Voice Over Body Shop. Alternating between encouraging and teaching podcasts renews my mind and spirit. Learning something new helps me feel energized and ready to apply new methods in my voiceover performances and business practices. Listening to my favorite shows always bring a smile to my face.
Hang Out with Like Minds
Having friends in business is great but, I’ve found that good intentions don’t make for success. A friend of mine gives me the impression that because I am self-employed, she thinks my voiceover business is a leisure pursuit. This same friend is preparing to retire in a couple of years from her full-time government job and open her own design company. In casual conversation, my friend talks about how she’s developing new designs for the many areas her business will cover. However, knowing my friend as I do, she has always liked to discuss what she wants to do or will do, but she often doesn’t make good on her commitments. Perhaps, she is not the best potential business associate I need to help me press through the hard days.
Once you figure out what your passion is, surround yourself with like-minded people who can help you grow.” Jessica St. Clair
Shadowing or associating with successful, like-minded voiceover talents and successful business owners helps me feel like I too can be a winner. It’s wise to partner with supportive professionals and those who have heard the saying, “Be nice to people on your way up because you’ll meet them on your way down.”
Be nice to people on your way up because you’ll meet them on your way down.” Wilson Mizner
Change up your Schedule
I sometimes take time for home improvements and other small tasks to change up my regular routine and accomplish small goals. Something as little as cleaning a room or finishing a letter can give me a feeling of accomplishment. As such, I feel more optimistic when I return to my marketing efforts and voiceover projects.
Never put off Leisure Time
Over the years, I’ve learned that leisure time, especially with friends, is one of the most encouraging things I can do for my voiceover business. Listening to other thoughts and learning how others feel about the world around them gives me a sense of the human environment. Interacting with others in a leisure setting not only pickups up my spirit, but I feel renewed when I return to the recording booth.
Another benefit of hanging with friends is I may pick up ideas for new voice characters. Have you ever come across someone who speech or voice is out of the ordinary? Often, I study such voice characterizations to use them in future projects. Spending time with others can breathe new life into my list of characters and perhaps lead to more voiceover jobs in the future.
That’s a snapshot into how I keep it moving. Now, go and develop your encouragement sources, because I guarantee the day or week will come when you will want to just throw up your hands. So, before you wave it all off, give yourself another chance to break a lip.
The voiceover world has a saying that never seems to get old. Voice teachers and coaches alike tell their students, “the Voiceover business is not a sprint but more like a marathon.” For some time, I didn’t understand the meaning of the phrase. When I thought about the sprint/marathon analogy, 
Voiceover is still a hot topic with people moving in and out of the industry daily. The rise in audiobook sales and gaming platforms has piqued the interest of the younger generation as many vie for an opportunity to become one of the favorite gaming voices or narrators. But some things about voice acting are timeless and a vital part of the makeup of the working voice artist. Integrity and hard work are still the foundations for success as a voiceover artist.