You’ve seen them too, right?
Those ads while playing games on your phone claiming you can drop visible weight in just three weeks with ten minutes of light exercise a day. A chair, a few leg lifts, and bingo—you’re transformed.
Spoiler alert: that’s complete crap. And deep down, we all know it.
But when we’re tired, burnt out, or just desperate for a win, the idea of a shortcut is tempting. In this week’s episode of Freelance Fitness, I’m calling out the fantasy and diving into the kind of work (fitness and business alike) that leads to real, lasting results.
Is there really no shortcut to success?
Nope. Whether it’s your body or your business, the same truth holds: results come from consistent effort.
In fitness, that means showing up, building strength, and forming habits that last. In freelance work, it means honing your craft, building relationships, and delivering real value—over and over again.
And no, there’s no miracle gummy to skip that part.
What does that look like in a freelance career?
Let me be real with you.
It took 18 months of training after my first voiceover class before I was ready to record a professional demo. That demo was produced by Kim Handysides (and it’s still booking me work!). After that? Another six months before I landed my first agent. (Hi, Roger and Sarah at PN Agency!)
And that’s a timeline I’m proud of.
Was I dreaming of instant success? Absolutely. But what kept me going—and keeps me going—is that I enjoy the process. I like learning. I like getting better. And I want that for you too.
But what about the people who “make it” overnight?
Everyone I know in this industry who’s truly successful?
They didn’t take a shortcut. They trained. They auditioned. They networked. They built a client base through skill and professionalism. And the ones who are respected… they’re not selling shortcuts either.
Because they know it doesn’t work that way.
How do you stay motivated when the results feel slow?
Here’s what helps me:
- Perspective. Like my teeth in these Spark aligners I’m wearing (yes, I’m over them too). I don’t see a difference from one week to the next, but month by month, the shift is real. Same goes for your career.
- Investment mindset. The work you’re doing today? It’s a deposit in the bank of you. And it accrues interest. Every audition, every client email, every awkward networking coffee or LinkedIn post—it’s building something.
- Falling in love with the process. You don’t need applause to make it worthwhile. Most of the work happens out of the spotlight. That doesn’t make it meaningless—it makes it yours.
What if I’m just starting out and everything feels slow?
It’s supposed to feel slow at first. That rush of enthusiasm when you launch your freelance business or start a new workout routine? It fades. But the discipline you build, the foundation you lay, is what lasts.
We can’t build sustainable income from one-offs. It’s the repeat clients and the referrals that create stability. And those come from trust, time, and showing up even when it’s hard.
Final thoughts?
Look, I’d love to hand you a neat, fast solution for freelance success. But there’s nothing in my cart except hard-earned confidence and a chair workout that actually makes you stronger.
So build slowly. Build honestly. Build something that lasts.
And if you want a break from the hustle that actually helps you get better at it? Tune in to this week’s episode of Freelance Fitness. We’re working on functional strength of the muscles and mindset variety.
[Listen to the full episode here.]
Let’s stay connected!
If you found this helpful, feel free to share it with your fellow freelancers or comment with your thoughts. And if you’re curious about my voice work, demos, or studio setup, visit alisonpentecost.com.
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