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The Unexpected Superpower of Patience in Action
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By Rudy Gaskins, September 1, 2024
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In the world of voice acting, acting, and entrepreneurship, patience is not just a virtue; it’s a lifeline. For those who’ve chosen to put their talents, bodies, and souls on the line, the journey is often riddled with uncertainty, rejection, and the relentless pursuit of a dream. The highs can be euphoric, but the lows, those moments of self-doubt and insecurity, can be devastating. Yet, it is in these moments that the power of patience shines the brightest.
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Patience in Careers: Navigating Unpredictability with Grace
For actors and voice actors, the unpredictable nature of the industry can be overwhelming. Unlike a retailer who sells products made by various manufacturers, you are the product. Your talent, your voice, your very essence is what’s being evaluated, making each rejection feel deeply personal. It’s easy to see how patience becomes essential in such a context.
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Renowned acting coach Sanford Meisner once said, “Acting is the ability to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” To live truthfully, especially under the immense pressure of an unpredictable career, requires patience. Patience allows you to take each “no” not as a rejection of your worth, but as a sign that the role wasn’t the right fit. It’s about trusting that the right opportunity will come when the time is right.
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Patience in your career also means accepting that success is not linear. As an entrepreneur or creative professional, you might experience long periods of stagnation before a breakthrough. The ability to stay focused and persistent during these times is what separates those who succeed from those who give up too soon.
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From Society of Voice Arts and Sciences
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Enter the Voice Arts Awards Here
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Patience in Relationships: Cultivating Deeper Connections
In a profession where you’re constantly seeking validation from others, whether it’s casting directors, clients, or audiences, it’s easy to overlook the importance of patience in your personal relationships. Yet, these relationships are often the foundation that keeps you grounded amidst the chaos.
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As relationship expert Esther Perel notes, “The quality of your life ultimately depends on the quality of your relationships.” Patience in relationships means understanding that just as your career has its ups and downs, so do the people in your life. Patience allows you to support your loved ones through their own struggles, just as they support you through yours. It’s about recognizing that everyone has their own journey, and sometimes, that journey will diverge from your own.
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For voice actors and creatives, whose work often requires deep emotional exploration, patience in relationships also means giving yourself and others the time and space to process emotions. It’s about understanding that vulnerability, while it can be a source of great strength, also requires a great deal of patience to navigate.
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Patience with Yourself: Embracing Vulnerability and Growth
Perhaps the most challenging, yet most essential, form of patience is patience with yourself. As a voice actor, you’re not just offering a product; you’re offering a piece of yourself. This vulnerability is what makes acting such a powerful art form, but it also makes it incredibly challenging.
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It’s easy to be hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned, when you don’t get the role, when the business deal falls through, or when you’re just not feeling creative. But as the Dalai Lama said, “Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” Patience with yourself means acknowledging that setbacks are a part of the journey, not a reflection of your worth.
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This might mean accepting that some days will be more productive than others. It might mean giving yourself the grace to step away and recharge, knowing that creativity cannot be forced. Patience with yourself is about recognizing that growth takes time, and that it’s okay to not have all the answers right away.
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From Society of Voice Arts and Sciences:
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Incorporating Patience into Your Life
So how can you cultivate patience in your life and career? Start by acknowledging that patience is not passive. It’s an active choice to trust the process, even when the outcome is uncertain.
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- Mindfulness and Meditation: Practices like mindfulness and meditation can help you stay grounded in the present moment, reducing anxiety about the future. By focusing on the now, you can better manage your expectations and develop the patience to see things through.
- Setting Realistic Goals: Break down your long-term goals into smaller, more manageable steps. This can help you stay focused and patient, as you’ll have tangible milestones to celebrate along the way.
- Reframing Rejection: Instead of viewing rejection as a failure, try to see it as a steppingstone. Each “no” brings you one step closer to the right “yes.” Remember that every successful actor, voice actor, or entrepreneur has faced rejection, often many times over, before finding success.
- Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer a close friend. Acknowledge your efforts, even when they don’t lead to immediate success. Patience with yourself is about celebrating the journey, not just the destination.
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The Quiet Strength of Patience
Patience is not a sign of weakness; it’s a testament to your strength and resilience. In a world that often values speed and instant gratification, the ability to remain patient is a rare and powerful quality. For actors, voice actors, and entrepreneurs, it is the quiet strength that allows you to weather the storms of rejection, uncertainty, and self-doubt, emerging on the other side stronger and more fulfilled.
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In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” Whether in your career, your relationships, or your journey of self-discovery, embracing patience will allow you to navigate the challenges with grace, trust the timing of your life, and ultimately, achieve the success and fulfillment you seek. ♦♦♦
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Rudy Gaskins is the CEO and co-founder of the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS), a nonprofit organization in support of the global community of voice actors as well as the associated craft professionals that comprise the voice acting community. He is the co-creator of That’s Voiceover! Career Expo and the Voice Arts® Awards. Rudy is an Emmy Award-winning TV producer and branding expert who has developed creative and branding services for global brands such as American Express, Lexus, NBC Sports, Delta Air Lines, Costco, Food Network, BET, and TV One. He has won dozens of marketing and creative awards across the media spectrum. He has received numerous awards from the Tellys and Promax. Under his leadership, SOVAS has received ‘Special Congressional Recognition’ from the united States Congress, a ‘Certificate of Merit’ from the New State Assembly, and a ‘City Council Citation’ from The Council of The City Of New York.
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