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Why You Need To Stop Playing It Safe

Put me in a situation where I’m having a one on one conversation with someone, I’m fine. Maybe even adding one other person into the mix, I’ll be alright.

As soon as it gets beyond that, I start feeling overwhelmed. Too many years of working in isolated radio booths and television edit studios, I like to say. Mostly that’s just a convenient excuse, if I’m being honest with myself.

The “stress” of it all generally presents in nasty headaches. Now, don’t get me wrong, I can push through it. Most people would be unaware. It’s just afterwards, I crash and wait to die. Ok, perhaps that’s a bit dramatic.

I remember, once upon a time back in my television days, I had to get on stage at a big concert in Oakville to MC / Host the evening. Huge crowd. Lots of people wanted to meet me, take pictures, etc. Through the entire event I kept a smile on my face. Greeted as many people as possible. Did my job. Driving home after the show, I had a headache so bad I stopped and puked on the side of the road about four times.

Outside The Bubble

Here’s the thing. I know that to take my career to a new level, I can’t keep doing what I’ve always done. I’m fully aware that it’s going to require me to do things i don’t necessarily enjoy doing (yet). Things I may not yet do well (yet). Things that will stretch me. Challenge me. Give me a few bad headaches!

Recently I took the stage at VO Atlanta to sit on a panel. That step, for me, was huge. It’s part of this journey I’m on. Being on stage in front of large crowds of people is generally not something I do on purpose! But it’s necessary to get where I want to go. It’s the same reason I’ve signed on to present a session at WoVOCon III next month in Vegas.

Go Find Your Magic

Guys, the reason I share this is simple. Some people have told me I make all this voice over‬ stuff look easy. I want you to know it’s not. Let me encourage you to be willing to step out of your comfort zone. To take on the things you’ve been avoiding in order to stay safe. Just like getting into a booth to record a new commercial demo with Uncle Roy was outside my wheelhouse and comfort zone and stretched me in ways I needed to be stretched.

Risk a few headaches, if that’s what it takes. It’s all been worth it for me.

Amazing things can and WILL happen if you’re willing to challenge yourself to do what needs to be done to reach your big goals.

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