Learning from past experiences to develop workflow

Mentioned in this episode

https://www.thepharmacistsvoice.com/podcast/

The University of Toledo 

How are baking cookies, completing a chemistry experiment, filling prescriptions, publishing a podcast, and narrating an audiobook similar?  For each one, you need a plan, and you need some kind of workflow. 

During my career transition from pharmacist to voice actor, I’ve had to figure a lot of new things out.  There have been a lot of firsts, and I have referenced other times in my life when I also had to figure things out.  Our life experiences help us with new experiences.  I draw strength from the fact that I have figured out how to do a number of things in my life by making or following a plan and smoothing out the workflow.  

Here are some examples:

Baking cookies College chemistry lab Working midnights alone as a pharmacist at the age of 23 Podcasting Narrating Audiobooks

Some of the “firsts” I’ve had during my transition from pharmacist to voice actor:

Using recording software:  Audacity and Studio One Artist Setting up a USB microphone Setting up an XLR microphone Using an audio interface Working with coaches via Skype and Zoom Using RX8 (audio repair software) Producing podcast episodes Recording audiobooks

After the first time I do something, I know what to expect, and it gets easier.  It’s true of baking cookies, getting through chemistry lab, filling prescriptions on midnights, producing podcast episodes, and recording audiobooks.  Planning and workflow help me get things done.  

If you’re doing something for the first time, give yourself some grace.  I do!  Think back to some other times in your life when you had to learn something new.  Did you have a recipe?  Did you have a plan?  Did you have all the equipment you needed?  Did you watch someone else do it first like a cooking show host, a chemistry lab instructor, a pharmacist you trained with, a podcast coach, or an audiobook narration coach?  I look at all the things I have learned how to do, and I’m amazing that I can do some pretty cool stuff.  The first time is always hard.  Learn from past experiences.  Develop good workflow.  Get things done.