Today's lesson (#8 in my 10-part series called "What My Mama Taught Me: 10 Life Lessons on Compassion, Creativity, and Courage”) is about starting before you are ready and having the courage to experiment and pursue the creative projects that interest you.

Whenever I begin something new, I tend to research it thoroughly. But there comes a point when learning has to give way to doing. That’s where I found myself with audiobook narration. After nearly a year of coaching, I was told I was ready to audition and book my first projects.

I was both terrified and excited. There were things I could only learn by actually doing the work—and each book would sharpen my skills in a way preparation alone couldn’t.

So I started before I felt ready. And within a month, I booked two audiobooks. The first is now available, and the second is on the way. The process stretched me—recording, proofing, editing, and mastering—but it also accelerated my growth and confidence.

Now it’s your turn. Press play on today’s episode, and consider what you might begin before you feel ready.

Music: All music for my podcast is sourced and licensed for use via Soundstripe.

Songs in this episode: Quartz Stroll by Soulplusmind; Some Kind of Wonderful by Nu Alkemi$t; Con Sazón by In This World

Poem: The Bravesome Echo

Resources:

Juggler Francis Brunn

Jill's Latest Audiobook:
Prayers for When Anxiety Won't Let Go: Scripture-Rooted Prayers for Calm, Clarity, and Peace in Overwhelming Moments

Related Episodes:

The Healing Power of Touch - Lessons My Mama Taught Me (Part 7) - Episode 70

Learn the Language of Nature — Lessons My Mama Taught Me (Part 6) - Episode #69

Being Hateful is Incompatible with Being Whole – Lessons My Mama Taught Me (Part 5) - Episode #68

Giving Without Expectation – Lessons My Mama Taught Me (Part 4) - Episode #67

Take Notice of Little, Beautiful Things — Lessons My Mama Taught Me (Part 3) - Episode #66

Recognize the Good in Others — Lessons My Mama Taught Me (Part 2) – Episode #65

Let People Know You Love Them — Lessons My Mama Taught Me (Part 1) - Episode #64

Journal Prompts:

1. Who has stood in your corner when you’ve explored new creative paths? How did they help you move forward?

2. Write some words of encouragement you could tell yourself when you doubt your ability to learn a new skill or engage in a creative venture.

3. Write about a time when persistence and action resulted in a personal achievement. Can you apply that same energy to your current creative projects?

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Prefer to read this episode? Read the complete episode in blog format here: https://www.lettheverseflow.com

Let the Verse Flow is part of Jill Hodge’s voice actor and audiobook narration work. Learn more at jillhodgevo.com.

If you’ve been using these episodes as a space to reflect or journal, I recently narrated a short audiobook that supports that same kind of practice — something you can listen to in a single sitting or revisit for just a few minutes a day.

It’s a devotional book called Prayers for When Anxiety Won’t Let Go, and it’s designed for moments of overthinking or overwhelm. You can find it on Audible: https://tinyurl.com/yx4p6nwt