ME OUT LOUD

I Got Paid To Speak In A Foreign Accent

This is why you should show off your peculiarities more

If you happen to be wondering if the title above follows my conventional metaphoric trend, know that it doesn’t.

I literally did get a job that required me to speak in a foreign accent and yes, I did get paid.

Before I delve into the back story note that this write-up isn’t some sort of link to a ‘foreign accent agency’ but is simply one to help shed some light on simple mannerisms we often neglect that have the ability to yield result.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, here’s the back story:

I uploaded a video on my Whatsapp status (the then-only social media platform that knew of my existence) of me speaking in five different accents under one minute and asking my audience to guess which was which (yes, I am a pretty eccentric being).

However, later that week, I got a text from an awesome classmate of mine (hi Mhoe!) asking if I could do a specific accent for a gig.

I was a bit taken aback by the question but after sending proof of my oratory proficiency (should definitely add this to my bio), I got directed to the employer, ensured it was all legal, did the work (it wasn’t as breezy as I thought it’d be) and got paid a hefty sum for my service.

Upon sipping my glass of zesty water (lemons are expensive, so yes, I balled), my mind reeled around the experience, it all felt so surreal—the discovery, the job, the pay—but all in all here’s what I learned and what you can too:

1. Every skill is significant

Whatever it is you can do (no matter how absurdly irrelevant it may seem), someone somewhere out there is looking for you and isn’t unwilling to trade a few bucks for that ability.

Never in a hundred years would I have believed someone would be searching for and willing to pay someone else to speak in another accent (okay, well maybe not never, I mean audiobooks are a thing).

But I wouldn’t have ever imagined such an opportunity would swing my way.

It’s very easy for you to talk down or dismiss that one ‘irrelevant’ thing you’re good at—gaming, whistling, cleaning tombstones—believe me when I say there are people out there who need your service (trust me, I checked).

The question now is, how do you find those people and let them know what you’re about?

Well...

2. Be boldly you

If your passions aren’t stated (or thought of) when people hear your name then you aren’t being you enough.

Many of us feel we have to have had access to some materials before we can let out certain sides of ourselves but the truth is if you wait till all things are in order you’re throwing a veil over your spark.

It’s the passions you project that give you a name tag in the minds of people so be visible!...

You love 3D art but have never done any of yours? Let us see that fangirl in you.

You’re interested in oceanology despite never having been to the sea? Well, be loud about your fluidity.

You’re a fan of Strange Planet comics but have never owned a copy? Show that side of you off (also hit me up, we can be fan buddies).

I’m sure you’ve heard this over a million times but, ‘‘There’s only one you and that’s your superpower’’—all the quirks, gifts, imperfections, every smidge, and dash of it is what makes the uniqueness that is you, so instead of forcing yourself into someone else’s shoes, strut in yours with pride.

Why you ask? Because my friend...

3. People are watching

Recall that when making your potential kinetic, you have over a hundred brains at your disposal—you’re Dr. Frankenstein!

Even though you aren’t literally reviving corpses (hopefully), like it or not, you are currently conditioning the minds of many.

What’s even more mind-blowing is the fact that your ‘many’ have their many who have theirs and on and on until you have this huge network of circulating information and potential hype men in the circle.

And whatever image it is you project to ‘your many’, know that they would most likely pass it on to theirs.

Think about it, whenever you wanted to know a new person or eat out at a new place, who do you often consult?... I can’t hear you from over here in the past but I bet your answer’s someone who’s had experience with them.

Growing an image might sound like a lot of pressure but the truth is the power is in YOUR hands.

Thanks to the influence of social media, you get to decide what image you project—funny, smart, quiet, weird—whatever it ends up becoming know that it was as a result of your actions (or inactions).

Every single one of them counts.

4. Be prepared

‘‘Luck is what happens when opportunity meets preparation.’’–Seneca

We all want a good house, decent transportation, sufficient wealth, a steady supply of Pepsi (just me? Ok)...but many of us aren’t prepared to trade off some hours of sleep or Netflix time to achieve those ‘Goals’ we’ve all imagined.

I realize I fell hard into this category; wanting wealth and impact but shying away when the opportunities (and sacrifice that had to be made) came along the way.

Many of you probably fall into this faction too, you want an opportunity-slap (or a much more brutal assault) in the face but the thing is if you aren’t prepared for it, all you’ll end up with is an emotional black-eye.

Here are the simple methods I believe we all can implement in saving our face:

• Improve time management: Your time is your life (it literally is!), once you start taking it seriously, it will accord you the same respect. So instead of solely chugging on memes and seasonals, schedule tasks that foster your daily growth.
• Grow creativity: Being smart shouldn’t mean being smug, never lose that child-like wonder. Expand your scope of thinking by feeding your brain with unique perspectives, as Albert Einstein said, ‘‘Creativity is just intelligence having fun.’’
• Learn daily: Social skills, business tips, historical facts...this generation has so much access to information—Ebooks, paperbacks, Google, YouTube, TED—gaining so much by spending so little has never been easier. Use that to your advantage. Follow in the steps of Ayodeji Awosika and find resources from people who've already found solutions to the problems you might have.

Another thing I ship is future pacing; imagine if your uploaded video or album or article blew up so much that the world’s biggest brands have to line up to endorse you.

How would you stay true to being you?

Would you be able to handle the demands of growth?

Would your mind still be your business?

The only way to get lady luck on your side is by being and staying prepared.

As surreal as it may seem, you’re in your beginning—you know—the time before you become a ‘someone’ (and if you already are in the big leagues, wipe that smirk off your face).

Recall that growth is a continuous process and that patience and consistency are its vital ingredients.

No matter how unbelievable it may seem, everything you have to offer is of relevance.

Never lose focus, stay prepared, perfect what you know and develop what you don’t . And always remember, you are etching an image in the minds of many.

Make it a remarkable one.