I can’t afford that. I really want it, but I just can’t afford it.

How often do we use that excuse?

You may be thinking: That isn’t an excuse! It is a fact of life!

Maybe, but we tend to bring things into our lives that we “really” want.

Like that meal you eat out instead of scraping together some leftovers. Or that coffee at Starbucks instead of McDonalds. Or even the enhanced package on cable instead of just the basic channels. I could go on with a thousand examples, but you know where your money goes.

Yet almost everyday I hear someone say, “I can’t afford that.”

What they are really telling me is I don’t want that badly enough.

It may be a course or product I offer.

Why should they spend $97 on a ventriloquism course? They can learn for free on YouTube. Or from any one of a dozen vent books.

True. But their learning curve will be longer.

I don’t know about you, but my time is valuable. I only get so much.

Lets say you earn $10 an hour. (Hopefully more.) If you spend an extra 10 hours learning something, you’ve wasted $100 plus you will never get that time back. (And it will likely be longer … )

And if you learn incorrect technique, you’ve blown that time altogether.

The person who learned correctly can go out and get a show for more than $100. That person will actually be ahead, because they saved time and made a profit.

The same is true of the Vent Haven International Ventriloquist ConVENTion.

I constantly hear people say they can’t afford to attend.

What I hear is, I don’t want it badly enough this year.

I hear some pros say – “Well, I have shows and money comes first.”

I got into show business to run my own life, not allow it to run me.

I pass up work every year to attend. I don’t get vacation pay. I lose income and it costs me to go. Plus I work my butt off behind the scenes to make sure the conVENTion runs smoothly and everyone has a great time.

If I can’t take time off to do the things I want, I’ve failed. But that is just me.

For those who aren’t professionals, I understand it is an investment. I also understand it may be tough to take off work. Or use vacation time when the family would rather go somewhere else.

Don’t use the “I can’t afford it” excuse.

Tell it like it is. “I can’t attend this year” is one thing.

If you can’t afford it, you NEED to attend.

Why?

Learning from pros in the workshops and lectures saves you time. Seeing what others are doing inspires you. Finding out what your peers are doing motivates you. And hanging with your friends to laugh and share ideas rejuvenates you.

You’ll go home firing on all cylinders. You will be excited to do more with the art. The conVENTion pays for itself as a result.

And when you save time and profit – how can you afford not to?