We believe that stories shape culture, and culture, nations.

A well-told tale sinks into your thoughts and feelings. It’s a teacher when no one is around.

Do you have stories to tell? Let us equip you to tell them with precision and flair.

Bethel Church will host an Act One Screenwriting Workshop led by industry professionals from Los Angeles who follow Jesus, write for TV and screen and teach others how to craft stories with authenticity and impact.

Some of the topics covered:
• Creating unforgettable characters
• Developing dialogue
• Finding your structure
• Writing spectacular scenes
• Visual images
• Paradox
• Haunting moments

But, as Seth Godin describes in his blog post today The map has been replaced by the compass, the map is less and less important all the time. The map, even if it does lead to success in voiceover (or whatever other enterprise you’re pursuing) leads to yesterday’s success. Not today’s. And certainly not tomorrow’s.

Calibrate your compass. Make sure you know what direction you want to go. Make wise choices, but keep going in that direction. You’ll get there eventually.

Now, I’m not running down anyone who excitedly posts about something they’ve recently booked or accomplished. I genuinely love seeing my friends do well. I’m just trying to say that comparing what you are doing by yourself with what 100 of your friends are doing in the aggregate isn’t an accurate or fair comparison. At any given moment someone else is always going to be a bit busier than you are. By the same token, at any given moment you are more busy that some others are.

What I’m leading up to with the above, is to revisit a point I’ve made previously about the value of generosity or selflessness. Seth Godin has written brilliantly about this subject in his recent post titled The sad irony of selfishness. Do not fear being generous. While you may seem to fall behind now and then as you pass along to others what you cannot or should not do yourself, in the long run you will gain more than you give. No, as Seth points out in his blog post, this isn’t guaranteed. But, isn’t all of life full of risks? And aren’t those who win big always those who also risk big?

(edited to fix typo)

Fabulous work, Kara!

Nice work, Ed.

I have often regretted my speech, never my silence.”
— Publilius Syrus

Wonderful work, Rowell!

St. Louis Cardinals Program Open from Rick Riley on Vimeo.

Well done, Rick!

St. Louis Cardinals Program Open from Rick Riley on Vimeo.

Well done, Rick!

Having established that, here’s what I also know. You can be exceptional if you will take the time and exercise the humility needed to learn what you need to learn in order to become exceptional. Once you’ve begun this process, stick with it. The main thing that can derail you on your journey to being exceptional is to change directions or change focus. Doing so will derail your efforts every time. Needless to say, quitting will also derail you.

And once you’re on your way, here’s something you won’t hear from a lot of people. Don’t be afraid to say “no.” Know yourself, your strengths. You can’t please everyone. You really can’t be all things to all people. So don’t even try. Say “no” to the things that aren’t right for you. I do this all the time.

But, when you say “no,” keep in mind that this can still be a win for you. Refer a job that isn’t right for you to someone it is right for. In fact, when you do so, it’s a win for not just you, but your friend who gets the job and the client who gets what he or she needs. Do that often enough and you won’t know what to do with all the work you do have.

What? Turning down work leads to more work? Yes. Because at least some of those people to whom you refer work, will refer things back to you. And at least some of those clients you helped are going remember you, too and when they have something that is right for you, who do you think they’re going to call? Yep. You.

The more you concentrate on doing the work you are best at, the work you most enjoy, and turn down everything else by referring that work to someone else, the bigger your avalanche is going to grow.

(edited to fix typo)

The real secret to avoiding “average” however, is to be you. If you’re trying to be the next whomever, stop. Find your voice. Build your business around the things you love voicing. Not only will you be happier, you’ll almost certainly be better paid, too. Just as I am the world’s exclusive source for voiceovers by Bob Souer, you are the world’s exclusive source for voiceovers by you.