Take the Small Wins!

I’m writing this after finding out on Friday afternoon, after waking up feeling groggy from a danger nap, that I’ve been shortlisted for a One Voice Award! My whole house has been fending off an horrendous cold for the past week, and on Friday it truly got the better of me. It's one of those awful ones that makes you feel down as well as congested and full of phlegm (sorry, TMI).

I scrolled through the list of names, in my bleary-eyed haze, completely unprepared to see my name there at all (at that point, I could barely remember what my own name was, let alone what categories I’d entered) - but there it was - ‘Television/ Web Commercials, Best Performance (Female)’ and my name nestled in among some incredibly talented and prolific VOs that I follow and strive to emulate.

I couldn’t believe it - I’m still in shock, slightly, if I’m honest. And that’s going to be the pinnacle of my excitement and hope where the awards are concerned. I remember what an absolute blast I had last year at the One Voice Conference and Awards Ceremony, because the pressure was off, I wasn’t up for any awards and I was free to enjoy the evening without worrying about getting up on stage and having to make a speech (something which fills me with dread).

I’m choosing to look at this year in much the same way - the competition in my category is more than fierce - each of the VOs and their work is outstanding, and I would be ecstatic for any one of them to win. So for that whole weekend I will be pretending (to myself) that I haven’t been nominated so I can simply enjoy it all, with no pressure, anxiety or disappointment.

I’ve seen a few people write about the internal struggle they experience with awards; either not being nominated, or being nominated but not winning. I feel it’s such a lovely (but totally unexpected) surprise to receive a nomination, that anything after that is not even on my radar. I can’t wait to celebrate all of the great work and talent out there, and to support my friends (old and new), in this weird and wonderful industry we’re all a part of.

Drop me a message on Insta/ FB, or an email if you’re coming to the Conference or Awards, and we can arrange a catch up!