Getting out of my comfort zone
Today\u2019s episode is about getting out of my comfort zone, trying new things, taking risks, and growing.\xa0 I\u2019ll talk about some experiences I\u2019ve had this summer working on my business and an update on my family.\xa0
Mark Zuckerberg once said, \u201cThe biggest risk is not taking any risk. In a world that\u2019s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking any risks.\u201d\xa0 I appreciate that statement. \xa0
This has been a summer to remember.\xa0 My husband, Nathan, and I have been together for 27 years and married for 19 of them.\xa0 This is the first summer he\u2019s been home in more than 20 years. \xa0
For anyone new to the podcast, my husband lost his job May 1, due to a reduction in force, or RIF.\xa0 He offered to take over for me with the kids and managing the house.\xa0 He\u2019s doing a great job. \xa0
For the first time since I started my journey from pharmacist to voice actor, I\u2019ve been able to work on my business full-time.\xa0 After more than 2 years of training part-time \u201cin the margins,\u201d I recorded a medical narration demo on March 11, right before my children\u2019s school district went online-only due to the Pandemic.\xa0 I became a homeschool teacher for my two teenage children, and I struggled to work on my business after my husband came home in the evenings. \xa0
When my husband told me I could work on my business full-time, I felt a little like a deer in the headlights.\xa0 I had goals, but I never had time to work on them aggressively.\xa0 I\u2019ll get to the point quickly here.\xa0 The biggest lesson I learned this summer is that working full-time as a voice actor isn\u2019t like turning a light switch on.\xa0 I didn\u2019t have an agent.\xa0 I wasn\u2019t on any pay-to-play sites.\xa0 I was just starting to direct-marketing to potential clients.\xa0 There was still a lot for me to learn and do.\xa0 Plus, I\u2019m still finishing my audiobook narration course with Sean Pratt.\xa0 I am scheduled to graduate September 2. \xa0 \xa0
Between May 1 and now, I have learned a lot.\xa0 I got out of my comfort zone, tried new things and took some risks.\xa0 Some of the things I tried made me uncomfortable, and that\u2019s ok.\xa0 I grow when I\u2019m uncomfortable.\xa0 We\u2019re not talking reckless and irresponsible.\xa0 I\u2019ve been selective about the opportunities I\u2019ve chosen to pursue.\xa0 Let me give you some examples:
- Expanding my network on LinkedIn and other social media sites.\xa0
- Proactive auditioning. \xa0
- Creating new demos for the audiobook platforms on which I\u2019m listed as a narrator.\xa0
- Tried a pay-to-play site.\xa0 I\u2019ll try another one in mid-September.
- Learned to accept silence. \xa0
\u201cYou can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there's still going to be somebody who hates peaches.\u201d\xa0 This quote by entertainer Dita Von Teese is a gentle reminder for me to stay authentic to my brand and keep trying. \xa0
A little bit of discomfort goes a long way in terms of personal development.\xa0 When I injured one of the joints in my left foot, I became a swimmer.\xa0 The doctor told me that if I wanted my foot to heal, I couldn\u2019t do any high-impact activities or attend group cycling class for months.\xa0 I was devastated. \xa0
I joined a swim class as soon as I could.\xa0 I conquered beginner, intermediate, and advanced lap swim classes to become a proficient swimmer.\xa0 I have even competed in adult swim meets!\xa0 I was able to participate in triathlons too.\xa0 After at total of 16 weeks of swimming, my foot healed enough for me to return to group cycling class. \xa0
If I hadn\u2019t tried swimming due to a foot injury, I would not have gotten in the water.\xa0 If I hadn\u2019t become a swimmer, I wouldn\u2019t have tried triathlons.\xa0 I was very uncomfortable swimming at first because of my asthma and lack of stroke development.\xa0 In the end, I became a skilled swimmer and a competitor.\xa0 Going outside my comfort zone took me places.\xa0 I took a risk, tried something new, and grew\u2026just like I grow all the time on my journey from pharmacist to voice actor.
Family update!\xa0 (I recorded this episode on August 20.)\xa0 My two teenaged sons returned to school this week.\xa0 My older son with autism goes every day.\xa0 My younger son who is typically developing goes Wednesday and Friday.\xa0 The other 3 days are online from home.
This summer, my husband, Nathan, opened up, put himself out there, took his own risks, and grew.\xa0 After working at the same company for more than 12 years, he had to rewrite his resume, update his LinkedIn profile, and figure a few things out.\xa0 He had to figure what he loves to do, what he\u2019s good at, what the world needs, and what he could get paid to do.\xa0 It paid off!\xa0\xa0He had several interviews and recently accepted a job offer.\xa0 He starts August 31.\xa0 I\u2019ll announce the company in the next solo podcast Friday, September 4.\xa0 Call me superstitions, but I don\u2019t feel right announcing it just yet.