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CAREER Don't Wait To Plan For Success In 2013: Right Now - Analyze, Focus & Start Fresh
December 4, 2012  By Terry Daniel Voice Talent & Coach Each year, time seems to fly directly into the New Year almost overnight after Thanksgiving has passed. Before long, Christmas will be here and gone, and then we will all have to flip our calendars over to the next month. You may have already begun reflecting on the amazing year that you had both personally and professionally in 2012. Maybe it was your first year embarking on your journey as a voice
professional, or maybe it was just another notch on your career's belt
that was added along with the many other notches that you have been
collecting over the years. DON'T WAIT TO PLAN AHEAD Regardless of how you will finish 2012, it is
important to make sure that you plan now in order to start 2013 off
with a bang. One of the biggest mistakes that people make in this industry is waiting for the New Year to begin making plans. Waiting that long to plan forces them to delay working toward the goals and expectations they have set for themselves and their business. This simple mistake of waiting can actually kill your business. How so? CATCH THE WAVE As is the case with many other industries that are based on specific
talents, the voice talent industry thrives on momentum. You have to
be able to catch the wave right when is it about to rise in order to
enjoy the ride of your life. Otherwise, that wave is going to pass
over you, leaving you stranded in still water or possibly even drowning
in the ripples created by your competition. The best race car drivers
know they have to spend the least amount of time at the pit stop in
order to win the race, because if they stay there too long they'll be left behind. STEP TO THE FRONT Enough with the sports analogies. I think you get the point. Right now, focus on the steps you need to take now in order to be at the front of the line and in a prime position for success immediately after the New Year begins. One of the best things that you can do for yourself and for your
business is to use 2013 to start over. What do I mean by that? Treat your
business as if you are approaching it for the first time with a fresh
approach. Work with it as if you are just opening your doors and about
to work for your very first client. THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW Why is that so important? You have
to leave 2012 completely behind you, because holding on to it could mean failure for your business in 2013. Take a fresh approach to your business each and every year
as if you are starting at Day One, because that IS where you are
starting. Update your business plan or, better yet, create an entirely new business plan. EMBRACE CHANGE TODAY Try new ways to advertise your services to the world;
do not get too attached to sticking with the methods that may have been
successful for you in the past. You have to be willing to change what
you do today in order to change what you make tomorrow. And use this time to focus on reflection. Pay attention to the areas that
you were successful in during 2012, and where you were able to grow as a professional and expand
your business. Use those areas as building blocks to
create a foundation that will allow you to build even higher next year.
More importantly, reflect on and analyze the areas
in which you failed in 2012, and which possibly almost ruined yourself
professionally, jeopardizing your current image within this growing
industry. Those are the areas that require you to create an
action plan on how avoid pitfalls and steer in the direction of
success in the New Year. WHAT'S YOUR "WHY?" Enjoy the holidays! 2012 is coming to a close real soon. Spend time with
your family and friends and make sure that you take the time to truly
understand your reasons for being in this business in the first place,
otherwise known as your "Why?" If your vision for your professional voice over
career has gotten a little foggy over the past several months or even
several years, now is the time to clear things up and get a better look. Just remember, if you wait too long, it may be too late. ----------------------------------------------  ABOUT TERRY Terry Daniel has been in voice overs for more than 20 years,
today specializing in technical and medical narration. He volunteers his
services for ASPCA - the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and is managing partner and creative director for the Voice Over Club, a voice over training organization.
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Comments (2)
Philip Banks
12/5/2012 at 2:52 AM
Looking back to ensure you go forward will prevent you going sideways unless you feel the need to swerve or side step something that's coming at you from behind. This type of 360 degree thinking guarantees all round vision of all uncertainties. It's this enabling that allows 2013 to be the year in which you will feel "able."
Elizabeth Holmes
12/4/2012 at 11:50 AM
Wow, Terry! Setting effective goals really *does* work, and anyone who stays in business has to find a way to stay fresh and relevant. Thank you, so much, for this timely reminder.
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