Currently, I find myself, corporeally: in a coffee shop (surprise, surprise).
And, in terms more specific to this blog: in a time period between gigs, where my time is once again my own to plan. These are times I crave, partly, for the sense of control over my own time, and also for the sense of opportunity and variety that an open schedule brings.
Two weeks ago, I finished a three-city co-production of Lauren Yee’s “Cambodian Rock Band,” which was an incredibly rewarding, professionally challenging, and, honestly, soul-rejuvenating experience. Not only did it fall at the top of the ever-sought category of “doing important work,” I also met so many wonderful artists, patrons, and, well, friends along the way.
Since then, I have been home for ten business days, and have had 15 auditions (Thank you to my agents). These have been a mix of Voiceovers, on-camera industrials, and five theatre auditions. Sooo, a lot of that “open schedule” has been filled with reading scripts, audition prep, and recording/editing VO submissions.
I LOVE times like these, where I feel like I am creating a wake of creative energy, and I am excited for the professional returns and growth that inevitably comes, in turn.
I have also used some of this open schedule to prioritize things I had been putting off. One of these was cutting together a new Commercial Voiceover Demo (that can be heard at the bottom of my homepage) that more accurately showcases what I do and the types of spots that I am most frequently hired to do. Through doing so, I’ve even become more skilled at editing in the program Audacity, out of necessity (which had also been a long put off goal of mine).
So, I am soaking in this time where I feel like I am firing on all cylinders, as well as, using the free time I do have to improve my foundation of tools (Updated Resume, Updated website, Updated bio and resume on Agent’s website, new VO demo) and skills that will help me book the next gig.
Some Thoughts on Improvement
Two blog posts ago, I wrote about Focused Training by Season, and I want to go into what I’ve been focused on for the past 14 weeks. Two ideas: “Non-Negotiables” and “Kaizen,” which I learned from Tony Robbins Awaken the Giant Within. And further, simplifying my approach to achieving my personal and professional goals.
Non-Negotiables
What we prioritize receives our attention, and, in turn, our efforts. The more specific we are with our attentions and efforts, the more specific our returns can be.
I realized that some of my rules for things like nutrition and exercise, which obviously affects my health and mood and therefore everything else I do, were not consistent or specific enough. I realized that I needed to create some new, and stronger rules about them. Things that I would consider, “Non-Negotiable.”
First, I relegated eating all bread carbs and drinking alcohol to the “rare-exception” column of my diet, and focused on how crappy I felt after either, to really distance myself from them. I also focused on replacing less nutritious carbs with whole grain oats, black beans, or veggies, for energy. And I significantly cut down on the amount of animal protein I was eating.
Second, in terms of exercise, I focused on my core. Even when I have spent seasons working out six days a week in the gym, I have long ignored my abs, and begrudgingly done the bare minimum, in terms of exercising my core. No wonder I had poor results.
I decide to make a new Non-Negotiable Rule of starting my day, six days a week, with a core workout. I found four exercises for my abs from a simple YouTube video on “how to get a flat stomach in a month” as a base, and slowly added a handful of more reps each week to each exercise. About 4 weeks in, I added back in push-ups, resistance cable work outs, and body-weight squats and lunges (separated into Push Day, Pull Day, and Leg Day, and then repeated) to improve strength and tone.
Mid-way through my 14 week, I feel incredible. My body craves the workout each morning, and I have more breath control for Voiceovers and Singing than I did before. I feel more confident and energized throughout the day, as well.
Kaizen - 1% Better Everyday
This brings me to the Japanese idea of “Kaizen,” or continuous improvement.
I adopted the simple and achievable idea of improving by 1% each day.
I have spent the last 6 weeks or so, applying this to my voiceovers, acting, workouts, and diet.
By knowing that I can easily get at least 1% better at the things I’m focused on, I keep myself engaged, optimistic, and truly improving, everyday.
In essence, am applying the idea of compound interest to my own goals.
And furthermore, to my quality of life.
Or, as Paolo Coehlo said,
“True wisdom means respecting the simple things we do for they can take us where we want to go.”
:o)