It’s okay if your job sometimes makes you hear a voice in your head. When I worked in TV news, it happened to me all the time and was a valuable resource.
In my case, the voice was from a producer in the control room. Whether I was filing a report from the field or anchoring a newscast in the studio, he or she would provide me with information that would come into my earpiece.
The producer could help me by giving me time cues, passing on new information about the story, or suggesting a question.
Sometimes, I was given bad news, like that a piece of video wasn’t ready and I’d have to fill the time, on live TV, until it arrived.
In your world, do you have a voice in your head? You may not wear an earpiece but you may have important information in your mind that wants to come out.
The Voice Tells You Policies
When you cross a street, can you still hear your parents saying, “Look both ways before you cross.” You heard that practice so many times as a child that you know it’s something you have to do.
Today, that message in your head may take the form of company policies. For example, it’s that voice that tells you to run spell check on an email before you send it.
Someone once told you that policy and it’s up to you to hear and follow it, rather than ignore the practice and pay the consequences.
The Voice Gives You Advice
Sometimes a producer would suggest that I change a word or recompose a live shot so it might look better. In these instances, I could ignore the suggestion but usually I found the outside perspective to be valuable, even if I didn’t immediately love it.
Do you have echoes of voices in your head from people giving you advice? You may not like what they’re saying but step back and consider if it can help you professionally.
For instance, no one wants to hear that they are a bad listener but understanding that fault can make you a better one. Before change can happen, you have to consider the advice.
Listen to Your Voice
It’s funny how we can effortlessly give advice to others and not consider it for ourselves. When faced with a challenge are you not sure what to do or are doubts and uncertainties producing procrastination?
It’s likely that your skill and background can eliminate these obstacles. You already know what needs to be done. The key is hearing what you tell others and applying it to yourself.
You have a voice in your head that can serve as an advisor. Pay attention to it.
Maybe it’s time to bring Ken Okel to your next meeting…
