I was reading the tremendous ongoing discussion about non-union voice-over rates on the Voices.com VOX Daily blog. Many people rightly pointed out in their comments that the rates are too low. However, some talent questioned how they could ask for higher rates without having their clients go ballistic and/or running for the hills.

I would like to address this question by stating that you have to develop a prosperity mindset. Nothing is more powerful on this planet than the words that you think and speak. (You would think, of all people, someone in the voice-over industry would be aware of this important Universal rule! smile) To change anything you dislike in your life, including the rates you are currently charging your clients, you must first change the thoughts that you think.

If you want to read a life-changing book on attracting prosperity into your life, I cannot recommend too highly The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity by Catherine Ponder.

This book was recommended to me 3 years ago, but I just read it in the last few weeks. It was written by a minister and has references to God and Bible. I’m not a religious person, but I didn’t find the references excessive or offensive. The advice on changing your mindset to one of prosperity and abundance is incredibly practical; already, I have seen results from applying the principles in this book!

You may say you wish you could attract clients who have bigger budgets. The difference between a wish and a goal is that a goal is written down. While I have other business-related books to recommend later, I love the book Write It Down, Make It Happen: Knowing What You Want And Getting It by Henriette Klauser. The author gives countless delightful examples of how people used the power of their words (and remember, nothing is more powerful!) to chart a roadmap for their lives. I think this is a great book to start getting you to think in possibilities.

The best program I have ever heard on goal-setting was delivered by Brian Tracy. Click here if you’d like to order his CD titled 21 Success Secrets of Self Made Millionaires

If that program doesn’t sound enticing enough, take a look at the others on that page and see if something else strikes your fancy. Whether you listen to Brian Tracy or some other speaker, you can always have the opportunity to improve your thoughts and your mind whenever you are in your car or by loading the CDs on your iPod or other .mp3 player. I recently listened to a teleconference with celebrated speaker Zig Ziglar, who is still going strong and on top of his game at almost 80 years young.

He said he doesn’t listen to the radio when he’s in his car but instead tunes into Audio University, or his name for audio learning programs. He concentrates on improving his mind by listening to various audio programs on all manner of topics. Sometimes he learns something new, while other times the programs serve as a refresher to something he needed to remember.

I, too, like the philosophy of Audio University. I’m bored listening to the same Kelly Clarkson songs played over and over and over on the radio every 6 minutes, and I can’t abide the endless negativity and fear-based reporting found on TV. Give me a good audio program on my iPod any day! Enriching my mind will in turn enrich my bank account!

I was cleaning up some clutter, which is another thing that holds us back and probably another blog topic for another day. I found a notepad from a conference at which Louise Hay spoke on 10/18/03, just days after I lost my dad. I wrote that she said:

Struggle, pain and suffering have created nothing.
Be here for the joy of it.
Atmosphere within and around you should be one of constant joy.

I also wrote that she said to:

* Make a list of delicious memories from the past, things that make you feel good.
* Make a list of how you would love to live.

Also during my clutter clean-up, I found a Christmas card, and I will leave you with the sentiment from its cover:

Gratitude is one of the sweet shortcuts

to finding peace of mind and happiness.