The alarm clock went off at 5:30am but I was already awake. I had already finished my workout (or at least broke a sweat) and was sitting at my desk sending emails for my first career. I wanted to catch up on some reports and review a few of the analytics to support a proposal before my day got busy. The alarm was to let me know that it was time to make the kids breakfast and lunches for the day.
Once I finished, I took a shower and went back to bed for 30 glorious minutes. I love some power naps. In today’s world, the digital ecosystem makes it possible to do more in a day than anyone ever could imagine. The pervasive attitude of society suggests that you can achieve your dreams. I agree. You can IF you are willing to put in the work, and when I say work, you may need to become a master juggler if you really want to succeed.
Hi. My name is Yolanda Spearman. I am the Director of Sales for the eastern half of the United States at Harley-Davidson Financial Services, and I am also a 6-figure, successful voiceover talent.
The fulfillment I receive from both inspires me to do more, and I am not alone. There are many people who lead lives like this, and we share a few common attributes.
What about you? If you are a budding entrepreneur and you juggle multiple plates balancing two or more careers, here are a few tips that may help succeed:
- Set clear goals for yourself. Understand what you want and WHY. WRITE IT DOWN. Why do you need two careers? I feel comfortable in Corporate America, and I feel like I have a few more things to do before I am ready to make a change. Voiceover gives me the creative liberty I need to do my Corporate America job joyfully.
- Become a master at Time Management and Prioritization (or hire someone who is). I could say this a thousand times. But HOW to do it, is the big question. I use my calendar for everything. I block off time to chaperone at my children’s school. I block time to speak to my team. Time to do reports. Time to do auditions. I audition early in the morning and late in the evening and I have a daily goal of only 6. It’s small and attainable. I only audition for jobs that I really want. I am very thoughtful when it comes to auditioning. Could I book more? Yes. Does it fit my availability? … That’s the big question.
- Know your limits. Set boundaries – I start my days early because I want to finish them early enough to have family time. There are some things I don’t do. I don’t do late evening Corporate meetings because I usually do my voiceovers during those hours. I don’t work weekends.
- Be flexible. I work after the kids go to bed on many evenings. I have fallen asleep in my studio. I have gotten up before the sun to warm up my voice so that I have time to do an early session because I have a busy Corporate day. As I mentioned, I don’t work weekends, BUT if a client wants a longer session and they are willing to do it on a Saturday, I will be flexible. It boils down to you and how much you are willing to do to make this work.
- Build a support network. Celia Siegel Management is my voiceover team. They keep me afloat. I pay a fee, but it is worth every nickel. They are master jugglers, and they juggle with me wherever I go in the United States. This is the 1 piece of advice that I really want you to digest. I could not be as successful as I am without my management team to help me.
- Embrace the power of delegation and outsourcing – I rarely edit a big project. I almost always send it out to be edited. If I can delegate a task, I do.
Managing two careers requires careful planning, dedication, and a proactive mindset. By defining your goals, effectively managing your time, building a support network, and prioritizing self-care, you can successfully navigate the challenges and reap the rewards of pursuing dual careers. Remember, it is essential to find joy and fulfillment in both pursuits to ensure a well-rounded and rewarding professional life. In the world of VO it usually boils down to one question. What’s your availability?