As of September, I had met many of my 2024 business goals. So, I was feeling pretty good about being an actor. (I stopped calling myself a voice actor; now, I see myself as an actor.) Being cast in June for an on-camera role with one of the sweetest four-year-old actors I’ve ever met was one of the highlights of my summer. At the same time, certain essential items were left out of my business plan. I thought about my neglected marketing and other tasks when, the other night, a friend remarked that she would go hiking and walking with me when she could “get around to it.”
It occurred to me that my well-meaning friend would probably never exercise with me. It’s funny how we can get into the habit of saying we will do a thing or make a change yet never make any real effort toward that thing or change. Time moves fast, and we must ensure we are not letting our days slip away without monitoring our goings-on. So, Let’s review the myth of the Round Tuit and start making 2024 great.
What’s Standing In Your Way
While I loved the Christmas play I performed in at the end of December 2023, its now well into another year. Coming off a bout with pneumonia in late January 2024, I’d found it really hard to get back to my regular grove. Granted, I liked my momentum of voice-over work and business. But lately, I’ve let excuses keep me in an “I’ll get around to it” mode. Are you experiencing the same thing? Are you keeping up with those admirable plans you made for 2024? It’s time to identify what’s standing in the way.
The Myth Of The “Round Tuit”
Several years ago (during a different career), I attended a conference exhibit show. One of the vendors had small round disks available for the table’s visitors. The words “Round Tuit” in big, bold white letters were imprinted on each round red disk. The table manager invited me to take one of the red disks so I would no longer have to wait to accomplish something. What a reminder that if you want to achieve something, you’ve got to stop putting off the effort. The Round Tuit is just a plastic, inanimate disk. The only thing it does is remind you of what you haven’t done today and probably won’t do tomorrow.
Let’s Move On
Now that I’ve unpacked the myth of the Round Tuit, I’m off to review my 2024 list of potential voiceover and acting undertakings. My career this year will include more on-camera acting, singing, and of course, voiceacting. Voice-over is my first love in the business. No matter the project, I feel honored with each selection. To have a producer or the like indicate that of all the voices they have considered for a project, I’m the one they want gives me a feeling of being unique.
“Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” Charles Dickens (David Copperfield)
None of us are getting any younger, and most will not get a Round Tuit by our next birthday. For me, I’ve decided to dig out my Round Tuit and place it near my vocal booth to remind me to get back to doing what allows me to bring joy to others.
You may not have a Round Tuit, so I suggest you make yourself one to remind you of the importance of your time. Make time to do the essential things in your life and business.
Remember, a Round Tuit is just a plastic, inanimate disk. You are a marvelous human on an incredible life journey. Don’t stop doing what makes you great. Go ahead and #breakthatlip.
