Hard work and perseverance: The keys to success in the creative industry
In the tumultuous world of creative work, where everyone’s a critic and the next job is as unpredictable as your aunt’s mood swings at Thanksgiving, it’s hard to overstate the importance of good old-fashioned grit. I’ve navigated the voice-over industry with a mix of perseverance and hard work—two elements as crucial as a microphone in a recording booth. Here, I’ll share how these qualities have shaped my career and how you can leverage them to sculpt your own path.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint
Let’s be real: I didn’t start my career with a golden microphone. It was more like a series of awkward auditions where the most consistent feedback was, “Don’t call us; we’ll call you.” But here’s the kicker: they actually did start calling. The key was persistence. Each rejection wasn’t a stop sign but a mere bump in the road.
For anyone diving into creative work, think of your career as a marathon. Pace yourself, keep your eyes on the long game, and maybe, just like in my case, you’ll find your stride. It wasn’t about quick wins but consistent effort. And no, despite the rumors, I haven’t yet been invited to share this sage advice at conferences.
Setting goals: Be SMART, not just artistic
As much as creativity flows from chaos, goal setting in the creative industry needs a structure. I’ve always relied on the SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals. Early in my career, I aimed too high too soon, like planning to win an Oscar with a demo tape. Realistic goal setting helped me focus on achievable milestones, like improving diction, mastering new accents, or updating my demo reel each year. It’s less glamorous but hey, it pays the bills.
Resilience in the face of “No”
Rejection is the bread and butter of the creative industry. At some point, you’ll feel like you’re collecting “no’s” like they’re going out of style. But each “no” brings you closer to a “yes.” I learned not to take it personally—after all, it’s not a reflection of my worth (or so my therapist assures me). Resilience is about bouncing back and knowing that the right gig is just around the corner.
Embrace the grind
If you’re looking for a 9-to-5 job, voice-over work is not for you. It’s late nights, early mornings, and weekend gigs. But here’s the secret: love the grind. The satisfaction of nailing a script or bringing a character to life can outweigh the toughest days.
Sure, I’ve had my share of voice cracks and mispronounced words (which somehow always make it to the final cut), but the thrill of performance keeps me coming back.
Final thoughts
As you tread the path in the voice-over industry or any creative field, remember that success often comes to those who are too stubborn to quit. Hard work and perseverance aren’t just buzzwords; they’re your most reliable tools. So, sharpen them and get to work. And who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll bump into each other at a conference—not as a speaker but grabbing coffee, sharing war stories about our creative journeys.
Here’s to making our mark, one voice-over at a time. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go correct a spelling mistake I just spotted on my website—some things never change!