Thanks to social media, attack television and brigades of haters running rampant across all platforms, complaining and criticizing has become the discourse du jour for this moment in time. It generates a lot of piling on and follow-up posts.

Problem is, running a continuous negative commentary is not only tedious and alienating, it can also cost you work and income while wearing the rest of us out!

Most voices ( aside from character work) are hired to directly or indirectly endorse what they are talking about.

If the delivery has even a tinge of negativity, it can taint the read and keep the performer from booking the job. Many don’t hear the taint because they are so used to hearing themselves in the traditional read that was in place since broadcasting began. It allowed for talent to hide behind a pat, glossy patina that was the prevailing delivery for decades. And, yes, many are still asked to deliver the tried but not so true, but here's the catch:

Today’s producers and the demographic they mainly want to reach are a different breed. They grew up when the old school mentality from which it emanated was already beginning to wear thin and do their best to avoid it whenever they can. Its slick, coy, manipulative and most of all, insincere. All that's missing is the starburst tingle that punctuates a fake smile.

The social/generational shift now happens every 2-3 years. Its imperative to incorporate this awareness into the creative wheelhouse. But, even more imperative is to check negativity at the door. Those who hire you may seem disaffected but one of their core values is, surprise, optimism! They can be cool and suspicious but are still optimistic.

In my work I hear it all… “Things just aren’t the way they should be…”It was better before” or the ever popular “The game is rigged”.

A negative state of mind is protective cover, a hedge against disappointment and the feelings of powerlessness that are inevitable in work that is so dependent on the subjective views of others.

Does this mean to no longer have critical discernment and see things for what they are, warts and all? Of course not…It means: Protect your energy.

Virtual fist pumps for blogs and blasts that continuously buy into a negative spin are time and emotional vampires that steal precious mind space better devoted to forward motion.

And yes, it all has changed and keeps doing so, at an alarming rate, but so what? Dig you heels into the past or see that this is your time as well as theirs and get on with making the most of it with a more empowering state of mind.