Shows You Should Say Yes To

If you haven’t played 150-200 shows, say yes to everything.

If you have played 200 gigs…

Only say yes to the shows that you’ll give everything to.

Only say yes to the shows that it’s worth to hire the good players for.

Only say yes to the shows that you’re actually going to care enough to lead the crowd.

Only say yes to the shows that it make sense to bring your sound guy (who, right now you only bring sometimes…..if the show isn’t important enough to bring your sound guy who makes you sound good, why are you playing it?)

Only say yes to the shows as they are in accordance with your larger plan.

Only say yes to the shows that aren’t in January.

Only say yes to the shows where you are willing to do something better than you did the show before.

Only say yes to the shows where there will for sure be at least two of the following: great crowd, great food, great money, great exposure, great networking, great weather, great purpose.

Only say yes to the shows that you are willing to own the spotlight of the stage, crank up certain knobs of your personality and character, and whole heartedly embrace the responsibility of serving an audience in the way that only you can.

Otherwise, just say no.

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

You’re Already Doing It

If you haven’t found your thing yet, chances are you’re already doing it.  Somewhere.

Somewhere in the smattering of things you do everyday, you’re doing the thing you’re best at.

At least the essence of it.

There’s a gravitational pull to it that you can’t completely escape.

So go grow that, forget about the rest.

Instead of looking around for the thing, look at what you’re already doing.

It might be small right now, but it’s there.  Hiding right in front of you.

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

What Your Ideas Need From You

I hear really good ideas all the time.  

Ideas full of true passion, true energy, true talent, true service to others.  And there even might be a certain degree off follow through.

But they don’t lift off the ground.

It’s too bad, cause there were so many good ingredients being put together.  

So what’s the difference between one of these great ideas with so many vital ingredients and an idea that actually has lift off?

The ability to assemble and hire the right people.

That is the difference.

I was invited to a companies Christmas party tonight, and they are that kind of company.

Lots of people and companies have the exact same ideas as this one, but this one has the team, the culture, the unity, the connectedness.

Spend more time hiring the right people.

Spend more time hiring the right people.

Spend more time hiring the right people.

Your great ideas, songs, dreams, goals need you to spend more time looking for and assembling the right team of people around you.

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

Don’t Confuse Seriousness With Vulnerability

Van rides, plane rides, bus rides, train rides.

Musicians have a lot of down time on the road.

That time is filled with lots conversation.  About everything under the sun.

Serious conversations about deep things and even serious conversations about simple and stupid things.

Serious conversations are great to have with your band, and bring you closer to one another.

But, relationally, they only take you so far.

Don’t confuse seriousness for vulnerability.

Don’t confuse deep for vulnerability.

Being vulnerable is very different from merely being serious or deep.

You could be talking in the bus at 3am about the political landscape of the heaven as it pertains to the devil, and what exactly happens when you die….super serious, super deep….not necessarily vulnerable whatsoever.

In a band, serious and deep are great and necessary.

But its the vulnerability that brings life, growth and lasting connection.

(And those conversations usually start simple, with something like, “How are you?”)

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

Start Paying Attention

Doing things better benefits from learning.  

Learning benefits from remembering.  

Remembering benefits from paying attention in real time.

Paying attention benefits from valuing who you are, where you are, what you’re doing, who you’re with, and why.

So if you don’t know how to do things better…start paying attention.

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

Jimmy Fallon Lip Sync

Although Jimmy Fallon can be a little too confetti and cartwheels sometimes, he’s still good.

One thing he’s really good at is the lip-sync bit.

Go back and watch a bunch of these and you’ll see an extremely distinct thread in all of Jimmy’s amazing lip-sync performances, and when his guests knock it out of the park, they’re following the formula too whether they know it or not.

Beginning. Middle. End.

Starting low key, rising into a signature dance move or signature vocal tweak, then a more over the top finishing move.

Starting with sunglasses, throwing them off and exuding more energy, and then involving the audience at the end.

Starting with sad longing looks at the audience, then going even more inward by looking down or fake crying, and finally looking to the other celebrity to come sing a duet and make everything ok.

Start with mic on the stand, take mic off the stand with authority, end with a mic drop.

The formula works.  Three distinct, definable parts.  It clicks with the human brain.  It’s woven into our expectations and fulfillment mechanisms.

If you start looking for the beginning, middle, end progression, you’ll begin seeing it in almost every one of your favorite performances, concerts, songs, videos, tv shows, stories, books, movies, enjoyable vacations, your favorite parties…everything.

The formula connects with people.  You want to connect with people.  Use the formula to better connect with people.

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