Am I a full time VO yet?  Well, yes and no. I’m definitely a full time business owner but with a part time income.  What civilians don’t realize is that  this line of work is either feast or famine.  What never changes is that 80% of my working hours is spent auditioning.  The other 20% is spent on marketing tasks.  I think I need to reverse that time management thing.  I love being behind the mic but I hate putting on the sales hat.  This seems to be the norm in the performing arts industry.  At this point in my process, working an actual gig is the most minimal time spent, unless its doing narration.

So, you are probably asking  when do you fit in administrative stuff, working with your coach and then working with your own students teaching voice, piano and acting?  Oh, that’s easy!  You just sleep less!  Speaking of less sleep, I’ve found it’s a very good technique to get a lower pitch going for character reads!  Always looking for the positive in everything! Time management skills can make and/or break you.

Am I a full time VO?  Are you?  Surprisingly, its not a sprint to success, its more like a marathon or a relaxing stroll, depending on your goals.  When I first began this journey I wanted everything right now.  I could be lazy and still perform.  My talent would wow the first client I contacted, etc.  Ok, you can laugh your ass off now!  Go ahead.  I’ll wait.

God and the universe has put me in my place – again!  I get it now that things have to manifest themselves at the right time.  All the building blocks have to be in place and I’m still building the foundation for that award winning, big bucks “everybody knows my voice!” career.  You could say I’m temporarily in the construction industry.

The big difference between a career and a hobby is that there shouldn’t be one.  A job is the required dues you pay for the opportunity to do what you love, bring you joy, self expression and respect from your peers.  Have you noticed that our present circumstances seem to be a manifestation of what we think about most?  Have you ever considered what your day’s thoughts have been mostly about?  Worrying?  Zoning out?  Creating something new?  Expectations?  That’s a huge one to consider!

It’s a HUGE mental and emotional shift from thinking, “I like doing voice acting,” to “I AM a voice actor!”  So what do you “like” to do?  What’s your passion ?  Is it a career or a hobby?  Anything for a paycheck?  Nail it down and watch what starts to happen!  Ok, where’s that sales hat?  I can do this!