Waiting For Moods

Waiting for the right mood to write

Waiting for the right mood to want to play live

Waiting for the right mood to give the audience a great show

Waiting for the right mood to plan for the future

Waiting for the right mood to confront the guitar player about his lousy playing

Waiting for the right mood to give a compliment

Waiting for the right mood to say thank you

Waiting for the right mood to initiate contact

The moods probably aren’t coming. And if they are, it’s definitely not often enough for you to be considered a professional much less become successful.

The mood isn’t necessary, desire is.  Figuring out which things are important and doing them regardless of mood.

I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

You Get What You Need (pt. 2)

If you want to have a meeting unlike any you’ve had before with a potential partnering company, or even a team member(s) you’re currently working with, here’s some questions you can ask that the other person is definitely not tired of answering (because they probably never get asked them).

What is the biggest problem you’re facing right now?

What do you need?

What are your goals?

How do you define success for yourself?

If you could script the next five years, what would it look like?

How can we help you achieve your dreams?

The hard part isn’t even asking the questions though. The hard part is growing into a person who genuinely cares about the other person and takes to heart what they need and why they expressing it.

We’ve all done the typical run around. Two hour meetings where nothing really gets said.  

You don’t have time for that anymore. Get to a meaningful, worthwhile conversation.

Be interested in the other person, learn how you can help them achieve their dreams by doing what you’re good at.

I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

But If You Try Sometimes, Well You Just Might Find

As an artist who is leading your band and team, it’s vital that you learn how to express what it is you need.

You finally get that meeting with the label, manager, agent you love…so what do you do? You talk on and on about how great you are and how well things are going and growing.  So why do you need the label?

You express your leadership, confidence and strong culture by effectively expressing what you need and what you can offer…not by touting all your fantastic statistics.

“If someone is boasting, they’re usually losing”- Bob Lefsetz

It takes guts, insight, strategy, generosity and courage to express needs in a way that inspires others to meet them by taking action.

But you first need to be incredibly clear with yourself and your team about what you need and how fulfilling that need benefits the other person.

Growing this skill (skills) will grow your success.

I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

I Would Fire Me

If anyone talked to me the way I talked to me, I’d fire them from my business and my life.  

If anyone talked down to me the way I talk down to me, I’d be through the roof with anger.

If anyone doubted me the way I doubt me, I’d never trust them or speak to them again.

If anyone gave me as many excuses as I give myself, my frustration level would be astronomical. Fired.

But instead, the true me sits with this “person” everyday and keeps giving him ample opportunity to pipe up and share his destructive thoughts.

Sometimes I ignore him, but I never have the guts to dismiss him, to fire him.

So I keep this jerk around…No one else on the planet would ever hire him in a million years.

I’m making plans to send him packing

Would you fire you for talking to yourself like you do?  

We need to hire a new voice.

 I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Making A Promise

When is the last time you made a promise, declared a promise to someone or a group?

A promise that when you made it you started sweating a little bit because you knew you were really going to have to push your limits in order to come through on your promise.

If it’s been a while, make a promise. And don’t sell yourself short by making an easy one, that’s not the point.

Making promises and keeping them raises the value of your band, your team, your family, friends and your world.

But you have to start with the “making”.

I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Singing With An Appetite pt. 2

Good food always makes a difference. It’s not that much more expensive and a great way to boost morale.

Especially when you’re on the road together, every 3-5 hours every person you’re with experiences the same need. Food.

If that communal need gets met with (at least) average to above-average food and drink, the communal need turns into a bias toward communal joy and satisfaction.

This is a real thing.

I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com