Tag: Goals

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Setting Goals for 2019

Here’s a sobering statistic. 92% of folks who set goals for themselves fail to see them through to achievement. 92%!!

Don’t want to fall into that number? You’ve got to set better goals. Watch this video for a few helpful tips on how to set goals for success in 2019.

Need help setting goals for your business? Set up a private coaching session with me and I’ll help you do just that. We’ll work together to determine your priorities, set corresponding goals and create a strategic plan to see them through to accomplishment.

Click here to book your session.

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Why You Need to Pick a Path to Follow

Where are you going?

Do you have a clear path you’re following? Or are you just moving in whatever direction you end up?

Before I head out on my bike, I have a plan. I pick a trail. I follow it. I have a destination in mind. Whether I’m going for a quick 15k to clear my head, or a long 60k to see some sights; I always have a plan.

Your voice over business needs to be the same. You need to have a plan.

There are too many talents trying to be too many things to too many people, and wondering why they don’t seem to be making any progress.

Jack of All Trades

Jack of All Trades, Master of None. In this business, that shouldn’t be taken as a compliment.

For me, I’d rather be crushing a couple areas than trying to scrape by in six or eight or ten. I know my strengths. I play to them.

I’m staying in my lane. Are you?

Success is taking 20 steps in one direction rather than one step in 20 directions.

Sounds simple enough, right?

It really can be if you intentionally apply it to your decision making processes and goals.

  • It means NOT submitting for every audition on a casting site.
  • It means NOT making 18 different demos.
  • It means NOT trying to make 12 different social networks work for you.
  • It means NOT dividing your attention between four tasks at once.
  • It means NOT checking your phone and Facebook every 60 seconds.
  • It means NOT trying to master every genre of voice over.
  • It means NOT asking for a hundred different opinions on the same subject.
  • It means NOT working with 27 coaches.

If you’re struggling with success in #voiceover you may be going in too many directions.
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Pick ONE Path and Follow It

One of the reasons I reached six-figures in my voice over business is because I decided very early I was going to focus on just a couple areas of VO and do whatever it took to get really great at them. That meant that not only did I not market myself in the other genres, but I didn’t even pay attention to what was going on in them. I didn’t want my efforts divided. I didn’t want the distraction.

I made a decision very early on to take 20 steps in one direction, not one step in 20 directions.

What about you?

Have you ever put any effort into identifying your voice over sweet spot?

Have you ever consulted with a coach to get some guidance on what genres to pursue?

Have you ever considered your strengths, not just in performance, but in marketing as well?

Have you ever stopped to think about whether you’re walking 20 steps in one direction or one step in 20?

If you’re going to succeed in this business, you need to have a clear path and you need to be intentional about following it.

That’s how you’re going to get yourself where you want to be.

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Three Questions to Ask Before the Final Two Months of 2017

October 30th. How the heck did that happen? I sound like my parents now, but man… time is flying! Is it just me or did 2017 come and go in a blink?

It was a busy year for me. Getting engaged. Getting married. Buying a house. Moving into a house. Renovating a house. Starting life over as a husband with two kids as opposed to a single bachelor. All of those events certainly added to the speed of the year.

I’m sure you’ve had your share of ups and downs that have made time fly for you too.

So let me ask you, 10 months down and two months to go… where are you at with your 2017 goals?

Now that we’re at this point, with just two months left in the year I’ve got some homework for you this week. Better yet, I’ve got some homework for you today. After you read this post. Turn off the phone, the computer, the distractions, and spend an hour working through three questions.

Three Questions to Ask Before the Final Two Months of 2017

Who has been my biggest help this year? What I mean by this question is who has added the most value to your life and business? What coaches, mentors, supporters, family, friends, colleagues, teachers, etc… have really helped you step up your game this year? Taught you valuable information? Shared invaluable wisdom? Held you accountable. Kept you encouraged?

Figure out who those people are, and make it a priority to give them more of your time in the next two months. Those are the kinds of people that will help you achieve your goals!

Who and/or what has been the biggest distractions? Are there people that just bring you down? People who seem to drain your energy and steal your joy? What about things? What sort of things are you giving too much of your time to that offer no valuable return?

In the past couple months, I’ve deleted several games off my iPad that, although I enjoyed them, ended up consuming far too much of my most valuable resource… my time! Figure out what’s taking away from your success, your growth, your business and eliminate them. Be honest. Be brutal. Be proactive and making the appropriate adjustments!

What are you most common excuses? This is a topic I’ve written about often because it’s one of the single biggest factors standing in the way of you achieving your goals. For every excuse you’ve got, there’s at least one solution. Guaranteed! It’s just a matter of whether or not you’re looking for it and open to it.

I don’t have time; how often do you watch TV or binge on Netflix?

I don’t have money; how much money are you investing in morning coffee runs and fast food dinners?

I don’t have training; have you taken a course or even spoke with a coach? 

I don’t have a studio; for several years I recorded in my living room!

I’m going to make the next 60 days count! Just watch me!!
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You’ve Got 60 Days to Crush It!

Sixty days is a lot of time if you’re using it wisely. In 60 days, I got engaged, married, sold a house and bought a house. And none of that was pre-planned! I just made a decision one day, literally, and then did what needed to be done to make it happen.

In 60 days you could buy a microphone. Sign with an agent. Produce a new demo. Book a coaching session. Take a training course. Convert a closet or spare bedroom into a studio. Earn $20,000 (don’t doubt, I’ve done it!).

In 60 days you can take whatever steps and actions are necessary to move closer to and check off each one of your goals. You just have to be intentional with your time. Certain with your priorities. Unwavering with your commitment. Stronger than your excuses.

Tell me what you’re going to accomplish in the next 60 days. Let me help you get there!

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Is It A Goal or A Dream?

There’s a difference. Though you’d never know it, as so many people seem to use the words interchangeably.

A dream is something you fantasize about.

Something that seems like a happy thought.

Something that’ll probably never happen for one reason or another. Within or beyond your control.

A goal, on the other hand, is something you plan for.

Something you’re intentional about.

Something you take action towards.

Goals are achieved.

When it comes to you voice over career, are you dreaming dreams or setting goals?

If you’re going to take things to a new level in 2017, you better be setting goals or come December, you’ll still be chasing dreams.

Thanks for sharing this post from Marc Scott's Voice Over Blog.

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Are You Over-Loading Your To Do List?

As much as possible, I try and be intentional with my time. Something I teach, particularly when it comes to marketing, is to schedule time in your day for it and guard that time with your life. Nothing short of a natural disaster or some other type of major emergency should keep you from that time each day.

Being organized is something else I teach, and often talk about how I use software like Nimble to help me stay organized. It keeps my database sorted out. It reminds me when it’s time to reach out to keep. It helps me keep track of what I’ve got going on with regards to auditions and projects.

Obviously, I also use tools like Apple Calendar and Reminders for helping me stay on top of my week.

Are You Over-Loading Your To Do List?

Once upon a time, I used to be a huge fan of throwing as many items into my Reminders app as possible for each day. I felt like it was a way of keeping me accountable to getting done what needed to be done. It also gave me the opportunity to celebrate small victories through the day as I would check off each item.

While there’s a certain level of logic that thought process, there was also an expected consequence.

It made me feel overwhelmed.

Waking up in the morning to 20, 30 and even more To-Do’s had me feeling nearly defeated before the day even got started. “How will I get all of this stuff done today,” I’d ask myself?

Then, when I didn’t get it all done, I’d be discouraged. That’s not good either!

Productivity won’t ride on the heels of discouragement, stress or defeat!

To solve this problem, I had to get much more selective and intentional about what tasks actually made the list each day/week.

“Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Sunday night at my local coffee shop with my journal and my laptop, working on my goals for the upcoming week.

A New Way To Do “To Do”

My new strategy involves setting about 3-5 weekly goals for myself. Some of them are specific to my week. Some of them may be part of larger monthly or yearly goals for my voice over business, that require being broken down into bite sized chunks.

My task list is then made up based on those 3-5 goals.

This has been a huge win for me. I’m still getting things done. I can still cross items off daily, that give me those small wins for motivation. I’m nowhere near as bogged down with an overloaded list. All the while, I’m also working towards important goals that matter.

Success doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by planning and this might be just the approach you need to take for your voice over business.

Your Challenge For The Week

Think of three things you want to accomplish this week. Break those three goals down into action items for a daily task list. Work away at them one by one, while also keeping focussed on the overall achievement you’re aiming for.

You might surprise yourself with how this can improve not only you results, but your attitude and drive as well!

Thanks for sharing this post from Marc Scott's Voice Over Blog.