professional female voice talent

The Scarcity Thinking Trap: Creative Freelancing Is Not a Zero-Sum Game

January 14, 2026 by AlisonP Leave a Comment

By Alison Pentecost — Voice Actor & Host of Freelance Fitness

f you’re a creative freelancer—whether you work in video production, audio production, design, animation, marketing, or voiceover—you’ve probably felt it at some point.

That quiet, nagging belief that opportunities are limited.
That if someone else gets the job, lands the client, or receives recognition… there must be less left for you.

This mindset has a name: scarcity thinking.
And while it’s incredibly common in creative freelancing, it’s also deeply misleading.

What Is Scarcity Thinking in Creative Freelancing?

Scarcity thinking is the belief that creative work exists in limited supply—and that success is something you have to compete for.

It shows up as:

Constant comparison with other creatives
Second-guessing your work or your pricing
Wondering if you’re “too late,” “not good enough,” or missing some secret formula
Feeling like there’s a small group of people who get chosen while everyone else is stuck knocking on a locked door

Scarcity thinking is learned.

It often grows out of:

Inconsistent freelance income
Quiet seasons between projects
Watching other creatives appear to “blow up overnight” while you’re still putting in steady work

Over time, it can start to feel like there’s a hidden system behind the scenes deciding who succeeds.

But here’s the truth—whether it feels comforting or uncomfortable to hear it:

Creative freelancing doesn’t actually work like that.

There is no gatekeeper council.
No secret cabal.
No hidden list deciding who gets to succeed and who doesn’t.

The reality is far messier—and far more open—than scarcity thinking would have you believe.

Why Scarcity Thinking Holds Creative Freelancers Back

Scarcity thinking quietly shapes how you show up in your business.

It makes creative industries feel like ladders—when in reality, they’re ecosystems.

There isn’t one correct path.
There isn’t a single definition of success.

Yes, trends exist.
Certain visual styles, formats, sounds, and platforms rise in popularity—especially in marketing and advertising, video and audio production.

But trends always shift.

When you chase them out of fear instead of curiosity, a few things tend to happen:

You do work you don’t even enjoy
You start to sound or look like everyone else
You jump on bandwagons out of desperation instead of strategy

Scarcity thinking shrinks your decisions. It leads to:

Underpricing because you’re afraid to lose the job
Overworking because you feel replaceable
Saying yes to projects that drain you
Copying others instead of trusting your own voice

And one of the biggest costs?

Comparison.

When you’re busy monitoring what everyone else is doing, you stop experimenting—and experimentation is where real creative growth happens.

Scarcity thinking doesn’t protect you.
It doesn’t make your business safer.

It just keeps you small.

A More Sustainable Way to Build a Creative Freelance Business

So if scarcity thinking isn’t serving you—what replaces it?

Not blind optimism.
Not magical thinking.
And not pretending everything “just works out.”

What replaces it is abundance thinking with grounded action.

Abundance thinking means trusting that:

There is room for many creative styles
Creative work isn’t about being “the best,” but being right for a specific moment, client, or need
Your job isn’t to replace someone else—it’s to show up clearly as you

Authenticity is a business strategy.

You can sustain being yourself.
You cannot sustain pretending.

The clearer you are about what you do—and how you do it—the easier it is for the right clients to find you.
Authenticity creates clarity.
Clarity attracts alignment.

In practice, this looks like:

Coming back to your own lane when comparison creeps in
Supporting peers without erasing yourself
Sharing your work even when it feels imperfect
Building relationships instead of guarding ideas like scarce resources

You didn’t choose creative freelancing to blend in.
You chose it to express something specific.

There is no race to win.
There is only a direction to keep moving in.

Keep moving.
Keep creating.

There is room for you—
exactly as you are.

This article is based on an episode of my Freelance Fitness podcast, where I combine short workouts with honest conversations about building a sustainable creative freelance business. If you work in video production, audio production, or any creative field and want business advice without hustle culture nonsense, you’re in the right place.

Day One Energy: A New Year Reset for Body & Business

January 7, 2026 by AlisonP Leave a Comment

By Alison Pentecost — Voice Actor & Host of Freelance Fitness

A Reset Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Starting Over

Today, I want to talk about new beginnings.
Or better yet—resets.

You don’t need to burn everything down and start from scratch to feel nerves, doubt, or uncertainty. You can feel all of that even when you’re experienced, but still evolving. Even when you’re working. Even when things are technically “going well.”

I feel it too.
New year. New plans.
Branching out in my voiceover business.
Closing doors on things that weren’t working. (Hello, doubt!)
Stepping into new areas. (Hello, terror!)

Waiting, stalling, or staying comfortable doesn’t grow a freelance business—especially not a creative business like voiceover. So instead, I’ve had to learn how to move forward with the nerves. Adapt. Pivot. Reassess. Keep going.

If you’re feeling nervous—or honestly scared—about a new direction in your freelance career, welcome. That reaction is normal. Healthy, even.

So, what if today wasn’t just another workday, another audition, another January resolution?

What if this was Day One?

This day.
This action.
This feeling in your body right now.

You know what we forget as adults?

You’re allowed to be bad at the beginning.

But Being Bad Is Embarrassing!

Let’s be honest with ourselves.

Your first voiceover auditions? Probably rough.
Your first demos, edits, marketing emails, reels, websites? Clunky.
Your first attempts at anything new in your creative career? Awkward.

There might be flashes of brilliance—little diamonds in the rough—but mostly, it’s messy.

And you know what? That’s great news.

Because if everyone sucks at the beginning, the pressure is off. You don’t need to wait until you feel ready. You just need to begin. And beginning is the only way anything ever improves.

Here’s another truth that applies directly to running a sustainable creative business:

When things start to feel automatic—when you could sleepwalk through your reels, your reads, your designs—that’s usually your cue to switch things up.

Because when you’re phoning it in:

Is that really your best work?
Is that what your clients deserve?
Is that why you chose freelance voice acting in the first place?

Those butterflies you feel before a job?
Before a workout?
Before trying something new?

They’re not a problem.
They’re a signal.

They mean you care.
They mean you’re challenged—not bored.
They mean you’re alive in the process.

But this is also where shame tends to creep in.

All the “I shoulds”:

I should be further along.
I should be more confident.
I should have launched already.

Here’s a small shift that changes everything:

Replace “I should” with “I would prefer.”

I would prefer to be more consistent.
I would prefer to feel more confident.
I would prefer to move forward.

That’s very different from tearing yourself down for not being somewhere you’ve never been before.

I had to learn this lesson the hard way when I launched Freelance Fitness. I had a plan. A timeline. A neat little deadline that made perfect sense—until real life showed up.

Work. Family. Learning curves I didn’t anticipate.
I missed my own deadline and felt ashamed… even though I had never launched a podcast before.

Would I talk to a friend—or one of my kids—that way while they were learning something new?

Never.

As adults, we forget how learning works. Kids fall, wobble, look silly, and keep going. Adults worry about being watched.

Hate to break it to you, but most people aren’t watching.
Most people are too busy with their own stuff.

So forget about it.

Growth requires failure.
Creativity requires courage.
And laughter helps more than shame ever will.

A Practical Reset for Your Business

So what do we do with this reset—especially as freelance creatives trying to build something sustainable?

First: manage your expectations.

Freelance life isn’t a salaried job. No one covers your tasks if you don’t finish them. Your energy is limited. You’re one human.

Starting a freelance business is a lot like having a newborn:

If the essentials are handled, the day counts as a win.
Some days, you’re polished and client-facing.
Some days, you’re in pyjama pants eating cereal over the sink.

Both days are valid. Both move the business forward.

Yes, you need a plan.
Yes, you need checklists.
But you also need wiggle room.

Course corrections aren’t failures. They’re part of the process.

So here’s your New Year reset, simplified:

Treat today like Day One, not a test.
Let yourself be bad while you learn.
Switch things up when you feel stale.
Welcome the butterflies.
Speak to yourself like someone you love.
Keep moving forward—even if it’s slower than you planned.

You don’t need a perfect start.

You just need an honest one.

Strong Body, Strong Vision, Strong Business: Making a Business Plan

December 31, 2025 by AlisonP Leave a Comment

By Alison Pentecost, Bilingual Voice Actor & Host of Freelance Fitness

Why Creative Freelancers Need a Business Plan (Yes, Even You)

Alright, let’s get focused.
New year, new strength, new clarity.

In the latest episode of Freelance Fitness, the workout is built around effort and intention — and your business goals need that same energy.

You probably have goals for this year.
Maybe they’re crystal clear. Maybe they’re still a little fuzzy.

But even with grit, motivation, and talent — and if you’re here, you have all three — goals don’t magically turn into results on their own.

They need a plan.

Not a 40-page corporate document.
Not something rigid that boxes you in.

A clear, flexible business plan that outlines:

where you’re going
how you’ll know if it’s working
and what doesn’t belong on the path

I avoided this for years. I tried winging it. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes… not so much. And the inconsistency was exhausting.

Life has no guarantees — only risks worth taking. You can’t control outcomes, but you can control your focus, your effort, and how often you reassess your direction.

Success isn’t about following the algorithm or copying someone else’s strategy.
It’s about defining what “enough” looks like for you — and building toward that on purpose.

The Hidden Cost of Distractions (a.k.a. Energy Leaks)

When we talk about focus, most people think distractions = phones, notifications, endless scrolling.

But for creative freelancers — especially voiceover artists — distractions are often sneakier.

They look like:

Projects that don’t align with your long-term goals
Clients who drain more energy than they’re worth
Marketing tactics you “should” do but secretly hate
Busywork that feels productive but moves nothing forward
Tweaking your logo instead of sending auditions or pitches
Constantly comparing yourself to other creatives

All of the above?
Yeah. Been there, done that. More than once.

Here’s the rule of thumb I come back to again and again:

If something doesn’t move you toward your goal —
or support your well-being so you can reach your goal —
it’s a distraction.

Your energy is a limited resource.
Where you spend it matters.

Focused creatives deliver better work. Clear systems create better collaborations. A sustainable business benefits everyone involved.

How to Build a Simple, Effective Business Plan

This is where most people overcomplicate things — so let’s not.

A business plan for a creative freelancer should be simple, actionable, and aligned with real life. A few pages. Not a thesis.

Here’s a practical framework you can actually use.

1. Your Vision

Ask yourself:

What do I want my work life to feel like?
What kinds of projects light me up?
Who do I genuinely want to work with?

This is especially important in voiceover, where burnout can sneak in fast if you say yes to everything.

2. Your Offer

Be clear:

What do you actually sell?
What problem do you solve for the client?
What’s the value or transformation they get?

3. Your Market & Positioning

Who needs your work the most?
How do you stand out naturally — without forcing a niche that doesn’t fit?
Where do your best clients spend their time?

4. Your Numbers

Nothing fancy — just honest:

Income targets
Baseline expenses
Booking rate or project volume needed
Time capacity

Simple metrics you can check monthly beat perfect projections you never revisit.

5. Your Systems

Write down:

How people find you
How you onboard clients
How you deliver
How you follow up

Even a bare-bones version of these five sections gives you more clarity than most freelancers ever take the time to get — which gives you an edge.

And remember:

You can adapt the plan
You can rewrite the plan
You can throw parts of it out if they stop serving you

The goal isn’t rigidity.
It’s direction.

Your Next Steps (Keep It Simple, Silly!)

Picture your goal clearly — and put it somewhere you’ll see it.
Identify one distraction you can eliminate this week. Just one.
Sketch a one-page business plan using the five sections above.
Track what you actually do (real behaviour > ideal behaviour).
Adjust with curiosity, not shame.

This is your path — not anyone else’s.

You’re allowed to want great things.
You’re allowed to take up space.
You’re allowed to build a business — and a body — you’re proud of.

Let’s train with purpose.
Let’s work with intention.
Let’s make this our most focused and productive year yet.

Disappointment: When the Business Plan Doesn’t Go As Planned

December 3, 2025 by AlisonP Leave a Comment

Who knew? The Creative Career Doesn’t Always Match the Plan

Every freelance creative professional eventually bumps into the same wall: disappointment.

You can be doing everything “right” — marketing consistently, sending auditions, nurturing clients, improving your demos, updating your portfolio, refining your outreach — and still… the week, the month, or the quarter doesn’t deliver.

I’ve felt the sting.
Like the time I was shortlisted for several “almost guaranteed” voiceover jobs… and lost every single one in the same week. One after the other.

You know you shouldn’t count your chickens before the contract is signed — but you still get hopeful, because you’re human. You get excited. You mentally rearrange your schedule. You start imagining what that booking or project means for your momentum.

And when it evaporates?
It feels like the air’s been let out of your tires.

If that’s you today, hear this clearly:
You’re not naïve. You’re not failing. You’re just human — and you’re definitely not alone.

Disappointment Isn’t Failure — It’s Data

The emotional rollercoaster is baked into the creative freelance profession.
Voice actors, designers, writers, photographers, editors — we all operate in industries where beautifully executed work can still flop. Outcomes don’t always match effort. It’s not a moral judgment; it’s just reality.

We would never tell a kid learning to skate or ride a bike that they “failed” when they fall. We tell them it’s part of the process.
So why do we talk to ourselves so harshly?

It’s a paradox we all live in:
We crave originality, novelty, boldness… but we punish ourselves when things don’t land.
We want to stand out… but standing out sometimes means a very public faceplant.
We want growth… but growth requires attempts that don’t always succeed.

Disappointment isn’t the end.
It’s data — about what mattered to you, where your hopes were invested, and what you’re stretching toward next.

How Freelancers Get Back in the Game

Here are practical, mindset-friendly, business-friendly steps to recalibrate when things don’t go as planned.

1. Remind Yourself You Have Agency

Just like twisting that gain knob, choose the variation that works for you.

Adjust your marketing strategy.
Refresh your demos or portfolio.
Try new audition styles or formats.
Reconnect with clients.
Post something honest about your disappointment — you’ll be surprised how many freelancers show up saying “me too.”

Agency is a muscle. Use it.

2. Separate Feelings From Facts

Your feelings are real and valid — but they aren’t the whole story.

Ask yourself:

Why about this disappointment is hitting me so hard?
What am I afraid will happen (or won’t happen) as a result of this project falling through?
What might just be timing?
What’s actually in my control, and what isn’t?

That clarity alone can lower the emotional temperature by half.

3. Aim for Small Wins to Rebuild Momentum

If you’re in a slump, go for the low-hanging fruit:

Sort your paperwork
Clean your equipment or booth
Tidy your files
Do a low-stakes creative warm-up. Write, draw, sing, record something just for you.

Momentum doesn’t return through willpower alone — it returns through small actions.

4. Build Emotional Resilience Tools

They’re useful in your business and in your personal life.

Feel discouraged, but don’t camp there.
Remind yourself how many times you’ve bounced back.
Anchor yourself in the long game — not the single gig that fell through.

Resilience is a competitive advantage in creative work.

5. Celebrate What Makes Freelancing Powerful

When things go sideways, you’re still the one steering the ship.
No boss. No approval committee.

You choose how to adapt, evolve, pivot, or experiment.
That kind of autonomy is rare — and worth protecting.

Bad weeks, slow months, or “meh” client relationships don’t define you.
They’re simply one chapter in a much bigger story.

That’s also what I’m covering this week in the Freelance Fitness podcast, so if you like music, movement, and exercise tips along with your business bites, go check it out here.

Cross-Training: How Learning New Skills Strengthens Your Freelance Game

November 12, 2025 by AlisonP Leave a Comment

Cross-training for creatives

Even pro athletes don’t just practice one move over and over.
A swimmer doesn’t only swim laps. A hockey player doesn’t just shoot pucks. They run, lift, and stretch — building the muscles that support their specialty.

It’s the same for creative freelancers.

You might specialize in one craft — voice acting, video editing, design, or copywriting — but if you want to perform at a high level, you can’t just train one muscle.

When I started working as a professional voice over artist in Montreal, I thought my time was best spent reading copy and refining my delivery. But I quickly learned: the performance is only one part of the job.

If I couldn’t record clean audio, edit it properly, or label files the way the client expected, my “great read” didn’t matter.

So I started learning audio editing, mic technique, and post-production. It wasn’t my main passion — but it gave me control, confidence, and better communication with clients. I could troubleshoot problems myself, deliver faster, and speak their technical language.

That’s cross-training in action.

Why it matters for your business

When you cross-train your creative skills, you become a more valuable collaborator.
You’re not just delivering your part of a project — you understand how your work fits into the client’s bigger picture.

That means you can anticipate their needs, solve small issues before they become big ones, and deliver projects that feel seamless.
And that’s what clients remember — not just talent, but reliability, adaptability, and understanding.

But, like in fitness, there are pitfalls to watch for:

Diluting your core skill: Don’t let side skills overshadow your main expertise. Keep your primary craft sharp.
Time management overload: Learning new things takes time — schedule it intentionally, like a workout.
Financial overcommitment: Test before you invest in new tools or training.
Brand confusion: Frame your new skills under one clear, client-centred story.
Losing sight of your “why”: Learn strategically — to serve your clients better, not just because it’s trendy.

When you cross-train with purpose, you build long-term value — for yourself and for the people who hire you.

How to put it into practice

So how can you start cross-training without burning out or losing focus?

✅ Pick one supporting skill that complements your main service.
If you’re a voice actor, learn audio editing or marketing for creative professionals.
If you’re a videographer, try motion graphics or scriptwriting.

✅ Get guidance.
Join a professional community, find a mentor who challenges you, and seek constructive feedback that helps you grow.

✅ Use what you learn.
Don’t get stuck in endless learning mode. Apply your new skills on real projects, even if they’re not perfect yet. Every project is a rep — a way to build creative strength.

Each new skill gives you flexibility, confidence, and creative resilience.
When clients see that you understand their world — that you can speak marketing, tech, and storytelling — you’re no longer just a freelancer. You’re a trusted creative partner.

Because in the end, cross-training isn’t about doing everything.
It’s about doing what makes you stronger, smarter, and more adaptable — one skill, one rep, one project at a time.

This article is based on an episode of my podcast Freelance Fitness, the weekly 10-minute workout-slash-break for creative freelancers who want to strengthen both body and business.

Get motivated, build better habits, and stay connected with other creative professionals — all while moving to great music.

Listen on your favourite platform: Freelance Fitness

ALISON PENTECOST