‘Coupla days ago, I shuffled out loud through a few rambling thoughts here on this blog — like I NEVER do that! (see “…MushMind…”)
Surprisingly, comments from three people I really admire, immediately popped up.
My original musing was: “Does it help you or hurt you to see other voice actors posting prodigiously about the work they’re doing…or just completed…or must knock out before the end of the week? I’d really like to know what you think about that. Personally, I’m undecided. I’ve been hurt AND encouraged by it.”
Peter O’Connell wrote to say: “…if you’re a VO marketing to other VO’s (and you may be if you’re a coach or something) then that plan works. But if you’re just spouting off to anyone of your followers your daily tasks, I think one risks a bored board of followers.”
Karen Commins was effusive in her response, but mostly ’cause she reprinted an article she’d written before on related themes:
“Comparing yourself to other people is a guaranteed formula for feeling BAD! Without too much effort, you can always find someone who apparently:
* has more credits and/or more impressive credits
* has booked more jobs recently
* makes more money
* has better equipment
* has more agents and/or more aggressive agents and/or agents in more markets
* has higher search engine rankings
* has a better demo
* has more training
* has better marketing promotions
* has more audition opportunities
You get the idea. By comparing yourself and your achievements to anyone or anything, you more than likely will find fault with your own situation.”
Finally, Derek Chappell followed up with: “…This post and the responses are so timely it’s scary. I was just thinking these same thoughts about all of those who REALLY crank out the daily spew of how many jobs they’re working and how “important” they are…”
I’d really encourage you do return to the comment section of that blog article, and read the responses in their entirely. Click HERE.
Does this in any way settle my mind on the question? No. And believe me, I’m not knocking anybody’s motives or action here. But nothing we do is in a vacuum. We DO affect others. Proving that is a WIRED Magazine article about relationships, and how the interaction affects behaviors. Click HERE. It’s an eye-opener.
But we also need to take responsibility for our own feelings and reactions, and not blame them on someone else. No one controls how you feel about yourself but YOU.
OK, the armchair psychologist is off-duty now.
CourVO
