How Do You Succeed While Everyone is 'Warning You' of the Consequences?

I started out in entertainment in the 90's, and I remember that in the very beginning, most of the teaching I received was all about 'WHAT NOT TO DO'. Today, I find that this still happens. Many people out there in positions of power are very quick to remind voice talents of the world what they should be concerned about, or what not to do, but not actually tell them what really happens or that those who scream 'the sky will fall on you if you...', actually have no concern for the people they are 'warning', yet in fact have another agenda of getting the actual people they warn to listen to them more.

So, what do you do?

Use websites in fear because you read a blog that told you certain things to look out for?

Operate under a blanket of fear where you focus on what NOT to do first?

Believe everything you hear and become a basket case?

NOOOO!

The best thing to do is to find answers for yourself!

I believe somewhere around 2001, when I was told by my first manager that if I did not audition for something, that they would 'ruin me', even though I was very ill at the time, that I realized it was time to stop listening and start learning for myself.

What happened next was my journey for knowledge. I wanted to know:

• How does the legal system work?
• Do people REALLY sue each other all the time, and what happens?
• Who is REALLY in charge of what happens to me?

This journey led me to work on Wall St in insurance, investigate fraud, legal claims etc. and 4 years later when I joined Voice123 as a talent, I had something I found not too many people had...an educated mind of my own and the knowledge to protect myself...and a backbone.

The truth is...

• People do try to sue, but it wastes more tax payers money than it does help those who sue. Many cases are thrown out of court.
• If you do get in legal trouble (not that it happened to me), you will not die.
• If someone threatens to 'ruin you', they are usually just trying to scare you. This is a very small world now with plenty of opportunity. NO ONE has the power to ruin another person.
• The Internet is not as scary or as vast as many think. In fact, when you get to know how it works, you actually see there are more honest people than there are 'pirates'. How do you deal with 'pirates'? The same way you beat any opponent in a sport...You learn their games and use it against them to protect yourself.
• The next time someone 'warns you', ask them, 'How do you know?'. If they tell you, 'Someone told me.', take a step back, think for yourself, and get real answers from those who know, not hear say. Maybe, tell them to stop watching too much Law & Order. Personally, I love the legal system. It is based on facts, but sadly many use it to threaten others.
  

So...the key to moving forward and working while the world warns you of impending doom...is to simply learn that there is no such thing as impending doom. Seek knowledge and listen to what you find.

Do not listen to those who 'warn you'. Listen to those who tell you things that have proven results. If it has not happened yet, there is no way to prove it is something to fear.

In fact...do not even listen to me...find this out for yourself! It would be hypocritical of me to say you should 'just listen to me!'.