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Voice Coaches Radio #492 – Imposter Syndrome

Voice Coach's Radio. Everything voiceover. And welcome to this week's edition of Voice Coach's Radio. I am Josh Heller. She is Marissa Lanczak. We are delighted to have you joining us here. How are we doing this morning? Not too shabby. I like it. I like it. Your voice is sounding good this morning. You're sounding warmed up.

Awake? Am I? I mean, more so than usual. Well, I'm awake. There we go. Sort of. That's something. That's something. Yeah. No, I um, if you got me yesterday, no. Like, I, because allergy season, full effect. Allergy season, honestly, is all year long for me, but, uh, because it rained so much, it had kicked so much stuff up in the air, that.

All I have to do is sneeze, like, three times in a row, which is what always happens, and then voice shot, like, the day, the whole day. That's exciting. Yeah, it's a beautiful thing. Yeah, gotta love it. And we live in the pollen capital of the world. Correct. Which I did not realize until, uh, this past year. I thought everyone has this kind of pollen, but no, no, no, no, no, we're lucky.

We're just lucky. We're so lucky. So lucky. It's awesome. It's just great. Love it. Uh, anyway. I wanted to talk about something today and, uh, it's, it's a fun fact that, uh, I think a lot of us, especially people, you know, starting something new, starting a new endeavor, a new, a new, you know, project like all of us did at one point in voiceover and, and many of you are currently doing now or are thinking about doing, and it's this idea of imposter syndrome and, you know, imposter syndrome is basically, you know, this idea that you.

Yeah, you say you're a voice actor, but are you really? Like, really? Should I be doing this? Like, come on, not really. Um, and it's this kind of, it's fear is what it is. Let's be totally honest. It's fear, right? It's this fear that you don't deserve or, or you're not good enough to be doing what, you know, you're, you're, you say you're doing.

And it's, it's, it's a problem. And I think it's something that again, You know, whenever we, we start these new endeavors, we, we kind of run into, right? Um, you know, it's, uh, so it's, I'm looking up the, the actual definition because I'm not sure I did a great job of describing it. It is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud.

Wow, that. Wow, having that Google machine at your fingertips is like, woof! Also, that was super real right there. I know, it got real, real quick. Um, and that's, that's what imposter syndrome is. Like, you're like, this is not, I'm not, mmm, I know I'm a, yeah, I say I'm a voice actor, and I know I have a demo, but like, I'm not really a voice actor.

Like, I'm not good enough to do this. Well, is it, is it feeling that though? Is it, oh, I think there's a couple ways of looking at it. It's feeling like, am I that really? Or, Is it also because like I haven't done any official work yet because, well, it's certainly part of it, you know, you know, I definitely know what that feels like because I had started a life coaching company, but I had never professionally, you know, actually sat down, had life and spoken with somebody at that point.

Like I had talked to many people over the years. Um, and just keep rid of my joke, just right over it. I totally didn't even hear it. Sorry. Oh, I said had a life, but ah, yeah, that's fine. Just skip right over that. Wow. But, um, But, like, I had helped and given advice multiple times, but not in, like, a professional kind of setting, right?

And even if you look at all of last year, like, you know, I've been in radio for, it's gonna be 17 years in the fall, but I didn't really do radio at all last year because of the pandemic. So, I would be talking to people and they'd be like, Oh, so yeah, you're a radio personality? I'm like, um... That, am I? Like, Well, and I, I still even get that, like, when people ask, like, Oh, what do you do?

And I'm like, I'm a voice actor. And they're like, really? And I'm like, should I even say that? Like, is that something I should be saying right now? You do, you do audiobooks. I do, and, and, So, technically, yes. And that, but that's, that's where the imposter syndrome pops up. So, uh, another thing it talks about, Despite external evidence of their competence, Those experiencing this phenomenon remain convinced that they are frauds and do not deserve all they have achieved.

Individuals with imposter syndrome incorrectly Attribute their success to luck, or interpret it as a result of deceiving others into thinking they are more intelligent than they actually are. Oh my god, dude, this is going to happen right now. And here's the thing, and you mentioned it, a lot of people, you know, when they first get started, it's because they haven't done this before, right?

How can I say that? And there is something, and I, Fully believe this. There is something to, to, you know, basically speaking things into, into existence, right? You know, you get your demo, man manifesting. Have you done any, any, you know, have you been paid for any voice of work? No. Say you're professional voice actor.

Say it. What, who, who? Caress. Like, what, what, what? Is someone gonna call you out on that? Like whatever, like say it's speaking into existence and yet, In the back of my head, I'm like, I don't know if I would do that, but, uh, but that's the advice I give people. It's a good idea. I don't know if I would have done it.

Um, just because I feel weird about it. And the thing that I bring up also is that I've been doing this, I've been doing voiceover for. Probably a good two years now. Um, obviously I did sports and things before that, so I've been doing broadcast for a while and voiceover for a couple of years now. I still have that.

And it popped its head up recently, and that's the reason I bring it up. So, uh, I was auditioning for an audiobook. And it was, um, uh, it, uh, I haven't heard back. I have no idea if I'm gonna get it or not. Doesn't matter. Um, and it was, uh, kind of an action adventure type of... Mysteries, suspense, whatever. Um, kind of right up my alley, kind of liked it.

And it was the first of ten books that this gentleman had written. And he wants the same person to do all ten books. And I was like, Oh, I have to audition for that, absolutely! Send it in, see what happens, why not? And I put it off for days and days and days because I was like, well, it's not just, I got to make sure I do a, I mean, it's not just one job.

It's 10 jobs. It's huge. Right. You start overthinking it a lot, you know, because you get in your own way and in your own head because and that's so much of that. And honestly, I was It got to the point where one night a few nights ago when I was going to do it and then didn't, I'm like, the next day I woke up and I was like, I'll do it the next day, which was yesterday.

And I was like, I'll do it the next day. And when I, when I checked it the next day, I wanted to see if it was still around. And I was like, you know what you're doing? You're putting it off until it's gone. Right. Until, until, you know, they've already made the decision. You're wishing your dream away. Yeah.

And I'm like, what am I doing? Why am I doing this? Because here's the truth. If I did not audition for that. Or if I did audition for it and didn't get it, what the heck's the difference? Right. Nothing. I'm in the same spot. In the same exact spot. And so, you know, but, but it's this pervading idea that, you know, I, I, I've done this.

I have published audiobooks. You can look them up. And yet, I still have this feeling and if I still have this feeling, I know that I'm not alone here. And if I am, it comes back to like a lack of confidence. I think, you know, and, and we, we are our own worst enemy, our own worst critic all the time. So like, you know, even whether you're just starting or you're like Josh or I, and you know, you're 10, 15, 20 years in, like, you can still have that.

That feeling. There's moments of doubt. And honestly, you know, it's good to have that because it just drives you to do better. But at the same time, you can't let it allow you to potentially get in your own way and watch your dream disappear like you almost did. Yeah. And it's funny because after I sent it in, I was like, I think that's good enough to get it.

I don't know if I will. I have no idea. I don't know what, who else has auditioned for it. So I very well, I probably won't get it. I have a better chance of getting it now than I did yesterday. Right. Because you actually submitted something. Because I actually submitted it. And when I did, I was actually pretty good.

Like, I think that was, I think that's legit. I definitely have a good chance at this. Again, I may not get it. That's not the point. The point is that I almost didn't go for it. Right. Because I was like, well, you know, maybe I'm not, I don't know. Like, no, we have to put those aside and that's difficult. We have to believe in ourselves and our product.

Which is our voice and our demos, we have to, you know, I always tell people when it comes to, you know, when it comes to their demo, or if it comes to their website, or if it comes to their business card, have it be something that you're proud of, have it be something that you, you're proud of and you believe in, because that means you're going to give it out, right?

We talked about this with business cards not that long ago, I had someone asked like, well, should they be glossy? Or should they be mad? Or should they be this? Or should they be that? And I was like, have them be something that you are You are excited to give out to people, whatever the heck that means, right?

We talk about people setting up their web page and all the different templates they can choose from. Like, well, which one's the best? I was like, the best is the one that you give out the best is the one that you're willing to put out there, whatever that is, right? Whatever that is, and the best demo, if no one hears it, it doesn't matter.

True. It doesn't matter. Best demo is worthless if nobody hears it. So you have to have confidence in yourself and in your product and in how you're, you know, how you're putting out there. Otherwise, you're going to be running in place and you're going to miss out on opportunities. And you're not going to grow either.

Exactly. And if you get turned down, guess what? You're gonna, you're going to. We all do. Absolutely. Constantly. Again, and I'll keep you guys posted on this, on this particular job. My assumption is I'm probably not going to get it. I might. But you know what? But I might not. And who cares? That's not the point.

But Josh, I'm proud. I'm proud that you did it. Because you were, you were trying to talk yourself out of it for so long. And if this is something that you really want to do, you've got to put yourself out there. So I'm proud of you for doing that and taking that step and not being too scared to do it. And that's, and thank you.

I appreciate that. You're welcome. You should be a life coach. You're really good. I mean, hey, um, but you know, and that's it. And I think, you know, I, I think if I'm going through that, having done this already and knowing that, you know, this is something I can actually do that, you know, this is not something I'm, I'm not alone here.

And so for people who are going through that, it's okay. That's normal. That's normal. This idea of fake it till you make it. It's a thing it is, you know, and don't be afraid of getting turned down. You will. And it's not personal when you do. No, your voice is going to fit a bunch of stuff, but it's also not going to fit a bunch of stuff, and that's okay.

Of course, of course. That's, I mean, that's not a big deal, right? Don't let it slow you down. You're going to feel this way. Most of us do. Most of us do. And hopefully it's something that passes, but maybe it lingers. It just depends on the person and, you know, their psychological issues, which apparently I have many.

Um, this is not a new phenomenon for me, by the way. Um, but you know what? I think you put it nicely, right? Don't let it prevent you from, from growing. Don't let it prevent you from doing anything. Be aware of it, acknowledge it, move past it. And succeed anyway. Boom. In spite of it. Yes. In spite of it. So, um, again, if you are feeling those types of feelings when you get started, or even if you've been in this for a while, Just know that's normal.

That's normal, especially when you get started, especially when you get started because you don't have that track record of success to say like, okay, even though I don't feel like I can do this, I know I have. When you first get started, you don't have that. And you really have to go out on a limb a little bit to, you know, basically tell yourself, I know I'm good enough.

I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. Gosh, darn it. People like me. Um, you have to go out on a limb a little bit to do that. And that's important. You have to. And then, you know, But when you're, even when you've done this for years, you may still have those feelings. They may still linger. They may still pop up every now and again.

It's okay. It's okay. Don't let it slow you down. Don't acknowledge it. Be aware of it. Move past it. Listen to Josh. He knows a few things. He doesn't follow his own advice, but he does have some good advice to follow if you, you know, you want to. That's hurtful, but true. You know, I can build you up to just knock you back down.

It's totally fine. Very true. Uh, dang. Alright, well, I'm gonna go cry for a little bit and, um, and think about, you know, my self worth. Remember, I'm still proud of you. I appreciate that. I appreciate that. And I'm proud of you. Uh, and I'm proud of all, and I'm, I'm proud, I mean, you have another audiobook that you're, uh, that you're pursuing.

Yeah, yeah, the other one is submitted. It seems like everything's golden on it. And then I've got another one that I had an offer from the author, and it's like a teen series that she wants me to do all of them. So I don't know how many are out right now, but I do know it's going to be a lot easier than the first one was.

So, so, whew, let's do it. I mean, and you know how much I enjoy, you know, Teen novels. Yeah. I can't wait to hear it. This is super exciting for me. When it becomes a CW series, you're going to be wishing. Just don't forget about the little people. That's all. I never would. Don't forget about the little people.

All right. Well, thanks so much everyone for tuning in this week and uh, you know, if this is something you're going through also and you want to talk about it, we're here. We're legitimately here, not just, you know, as a podcast, but also as human beings. We got you. Um, so give us a call, right? Shoot us an email.

Let us know. Josh at voicecoaches. com, quickest way to get in touch with me. But, you know, if this is something that you're going through and you need, uh, you need Marissa to pump your tires, she'll do it. She'll do it. Josh won't, but you know, you can email him. I'll get it through, through here. That's fair.

Yeah. I'll, I'll, I'll knock you down a little bit. I'll be the pragmatist. Um, no, but, uh, if you need to talk, that's, uh, that again, that's. That's why we're here. This is something we all go through. It really is. And, again, be aware of it, understand it, but don't let it stop you. Don't let anything stop you.

This is what you want to do? Damn it, do it. Do it. Um. In the famous words of Journey, don't stop believing. You're welcome. Yeah. Now that song's going to be in my head forever. I saw them in concert, by the way. Oh, wow. Really good. Really, really good. It was them. Cheap Trick and Heart. Yeah! Really great show.

No, this was in North Carolina. I was living in South Carolina at the time. It was a great show. Great show. Heart was amazing, by the way. Yeah. I just thought I'd tell you. I think they are touring again this year. They might be. I'll have to check them out. Anyway, now that, like, music is a thing again, now that like concerts are happening again.

I know. It's super exciting. It's crazy. So anyway, uh, so thanks all for tuning in again this week, and uh, again, joshatvoicecoaches. com, that's the quickest and easiest way to get in touch with us, but you can always give us a call, find us, you know where we are, we're right here, Voice Coaches Radio, we don't go anywhere, where are we gonna go?

Uh, so we will be back next week, and uh, and hopefully you will as well, and uh, Marissa, thanks so much, as always, a pleasure, and thank you all for tuning in this week, and until next time, so long everyone. Visit voice coaches.com for more voiceover news and information.

Whether you are brand new to the industry or a seasoned vet, we all experience this feeling. Feeling like we aren’t good enough. Feeling like we are frauds. Josh and Marissa discuss imposter syndrome and how to not let it sabotage your career.