We were lucky to catch up with Dylan Wheeler recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dylan, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I have struggled with my self-esteem and confidence for a long time. What I’ve found is that these issues actually have nothing to do with how skilled I am or whether or not I get the job, it’s rooted in my self-worth. For most of my life, I’ve seen myself as not worthy of good things. What’s helped me push through a lot of that is realizing that it doesn’t matter. I love acting. I love narrating audiobooks. I love playing music. That’s what matters. It makes no difference whether I’m good or not, I’m going to do these things anyway.
I still struggle with my confidence and self-esteem too and probably always will. Place your confidence in things that will not ever change.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I became a voice actor in 2019 and truly fell in love it. Since then I’ve narrated dozens of audiobooks and done films and theatre (for the first time). Becoming another character and learning what makes someone very different from me tick, is always fascinating to me. I’m always learning something new about the craft or people. My absolute favorite thing is to help bring an author’s words to life in ways they never expected.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Knowing the ins and outs of recording software was a huge advantage. 2. Persistence and perseverance WHEN something doesn’t pan out as you expect.
3. The willingness and humility to know that I will never know everything. Which means there’s always something to learn.
Remember life is a marathon. You don’t have to have it figured out by 30. Or 40. Or 50.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
I have taken a much more vested interest in caring for my own physical and mental health. Knowing when to stop working. Going for runs. Being outside. Taking the time to go see a movie, or play a game.
When you don’t fill your tank, you can’t give anything out of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: dylanwheelervo.com
- Instagram: dylanwheelervo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dylan.wheeler.357
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-wheeler-b268b3182/
Image Credits
Wandering Creative Steve Roberts – Theatre Memphis Carla McDonald – Theatre Memphis
