Sunday, 16 March 2014

Sunday SideLines: Iron Sharpens Iron



Iron Sharpens Iron 







You are iron. I am iron.

We are good to each other.

We listen to each other.

We learn from each other.

We inspire each other.

We encourage and edify each other.

We admonish and exhort each other.

We care about each other, so we build each other up.

We restore each other.

We are more effective because…


You sharpen me, I sharpen you.




What do you think? 
I value your comments.


Sunday, 9 March 2014

A 2014 That POPS!

Okay, I admit it. January 1st hit and I found myself knee-deep in goals for 2014; making them and meeting them. So when I had a chance to tuck-into one of Terry Daniel’s 'Introspection' blogs:  ‘Let’s Rock The Mic in 2014!' I found his four beneficial P.O.P.S. to be exactly what I needed; smart goals that lead to a 2014 that pops! And because I wholeheartedly agreed with his list and was optimistic about it as well, I actually set-out to check myself with it. When you have a chance to read it, I bet you’ll agree that his short and concise initiatives make sense (…and I so love the P.O.P.S. acronym.) Yep, he’s getting a Debby Barnes Voice-Over Rah-Rah! right now.

A quick FYI: Terry’s known as a dependable voice actor, instructor, speaker and social media marketing expert. And he has an impressive VO career history as well. He’s also becoming one of the most recognized voice talents in the industry. And his 'jottings from a voice-over artist and free thinker' posts are always read with great interest. I first got to ‘know’ him through one of his talented partners: Voice Over Club (Training and Resources for Voice Over Artists). Note: You’ll find a truckload of excellent material through this site and I can’t recommend it highly enough. He seems to 'pay it forward' by making a priority out of helping to build-up others' VO careers through the sound teaching he offers.

But, back to his article. One of the most prudent things he reminds us to do is: "Look at January 1st the same that you would the first of any month." I liked this. I got an immediate sense that he was trying to woo us out-of the interminable January dread. In essence, he was replacing our do or die/now or never mentality with a  ‘keep on keeping on’ mantra. And this felt like a healthier resolve to me. (We can all use this kind of determination to stay on course.)

He uses the rest of his blog to pump us up with activities that help us to press-in and press-on. He touches on the importance of things like, forecasting our VO business, budgeting wisely, networking regularly, marketing effectively, using ample preparation time and staying current within the field. And though these initiatives require drive and determination, we won’t get anywhere without them; as he reminds us…

…“Keep that passionate drive! Do not allow the change of date to change your pace and focus.”

So after effectually cheering us into 2014, you can understand why I’m eager to praise and cheer him on. Rah-Rah! Terry. Onward ho!


Check him out here: Terry Daniel

And don't forget the VO Club: The Voice Over Club 




Comment + Share!

And visit me at: www.debbybarnes.com 



Sunday, 2 March 2014

Sunday SideLines: Aha! Moments



Aha! Moments







You know the ones.

When the penny drops.

You get a brilliant idea.

The ‘mental curtains’ are pulled back.

You see it, and you truly understand what you’re looking at.

And you get it.

I LOVE these moments.





My SideLines + Voice-Over Rah-Rah's were an Aha! moment for me.


Tell me one of yours.


Sunday, 23 February 2014

Sunday SideLines: Do It UP

Do It Up






Think it up.

Work it up.

Step it up.

Tune it up.

Lift it up.

Talk it up.

Change it up.

Pray it up.

Live it up.



Just Do it UP!







What Are You Doing UP?








Friday, 21 February 2014

Sunday SideLines: I've been told...

I've been told...




…cooking isn’t my thing. I once made a meal our dog turned away.

It’s true.

I never seemed to get better either. It just wasn’t a gift I possessed.

But I’ve been told I’m really good at making reservations.

…and good at a lot of other things too. Phew!


At least these guys made me feel better!  Click Here.


What are you good at?


Friday, 14 February 2014

Sunday SideLines: Do You Hum?


Do You Hum?


Definition of hum (v)  Sing with lips closed and without words.   Bing Dictionary

Okay, I’ll go first. 

Yes, I confess to humming. Actually, I think I hum more than I realise.

But I think it’s a happy habit.

And I also believe it soothes the soul.

Note: It's a great warm-up exercise as well.

It certainly appeals to the Singer Songwriter + the Voice Over Talent in me.

And I just happened to read about its health benefits. What a bonus.

BKCreative says: “Some even describe humming as a form of therapeutic sound medicine. And all the benefits are free and readily available.” 

Read it below.



Oh, yeah. One more thing. I’m convinced I hum because I can’t whistle. 

And I’ve always wanted to whistle.


Do you hum?




Thursday, 6 February 2014

Enriched By Fascination

She's a Broadcaster, Voice Talent, Actress, Author and Speaker. And I've read she's a person who promotes positive thought. She sounds positively perfect to me.

She says: “Jealousy will get you nowhere. Admiration – and fascination – will always propel you.” So if this is true, I’m about to take-off, because I admire and am fascinated by Randye Kaye!

I lifted this wonderful quote from her rich October blog, ‘Fascination: A Voice Talent Necessity’ from her Life on the Voiceover List site. And guess what? She’s getting a loud Debby Barnes Voice-Over Rah-Rah!  No surprise here.
This one particular quality she reminds us to use in our personal and professional lives is simple and ever so effective. (And in my humble opinion, I think fascination is something to be grateful for, as well. It keeps us bright, curious and captivated. We can be enriched by fascination because it’s also an irresistible way for us to learn. Not to mention the way it taps-into the wonder and child in all of us.)

Though Randye starts-out by asking us about our Voice Over listening habits and whether we evaluate,  imitate or judge what we listen to; the actual guts of her blog is written about the six things she woos us to be fascinated by. And these really spoke to me, especially the sixth, because I believe it to be true. “Replace fear – with Fascination. Watch what happens!” Yes.
Randye – YOU are fascinating and so is your work. Rah-Rah!


Click-into your must-read here:   Randye Kaye's Blog

Randye's website:  Randye Kaye VO 


What are you fascinated by?

Comment & Share!