Your instincts get sharpened by following them more than by questioning them.
And that process is tough and risky and messy. Because when you follow your instincts and it doesn’t go well, it’s on you.
Your instincts have a default starting point of being weak.
So if all you do is question your instincts you’ll never know the reality of their impact…you’ll only have your own speculation to try to grow from.
Over time you learn whether an instinct is right or if it’s just last nights pizza talking.
But your instincts get sharp by following them. By having that gut feeling and acting on it (rather than only speculating about it).
The only way to have sharp instincts is by following them, owning mistakes and losses and then following them again.
***Don’t get confused to think that sharp instincts only mean my way or the highway. It turns out the powerful instinct to listen, or to ask someone else’s opinion, or to let someone else lead is just as powerful and inspired and sharp.
You hired them to fix everything and make you rich and famous but didn’t tell them that when you hired them and therefore they didn’t agree to those expectations.
They’re working hard.
Artists are attracted to leaps and bounds and miracles, but (good) managers are diligent in achieving baby steps.
This business isn’t about skill level. The creative side of the business side.
You look at someone else with the position you want and know you’re a better artist or songwriter or booking agent or marketer than they are.
So the natural train of thought is ‘I’m better, so why aren’t I where they are’
Because It’s not (solely) about being better or more skilled.
It’s about emotional connection.
If you can make enough people feel good about having you in the room with Adele to write her next single, you’ll end up in that room.
Regardless of your talent level compared to others’.
Sure there’s a minimum barrier to entry, but beyond that the playing field is re-leveled and the people who get what they want are the people who connect. Connect others to themselves and others with others.
When dealing with money, it’s always a chance to do people right.
At a bare minimum be honest.
More than that…
Pay people on time. Pay them what you agreed to. If there’s confusion and it’s to the benefit of the other person, let them win and make sure you’re more clear next time.
If you’re working with the same person or company over a longer period of time, increase the amount you pay them every so often so they know things are looking up…not down.
It’s not that you have to do money perfect, but you need to be up front, willing to initiate, and take responsibility when there’s confusion.
Everyone you work with will make a mental note of how well (or not well) you do money.
***And now for a true story where only the bare minimum (honesty) was utilized…
It was the first ever tour The Kicks(my former band) went on. We were nobodies so it was an incredible amount of work just to get clubs to let us lug our gear onto the stage and make a little noise.
But alas, we were on tour.
We didn’t have any money, barely any fans, most of the deals were bad door deals…but our Birmingham show had a $50 guarantee plus part of the door.
It was our band and a random local Birmingham band (of which the lead singer is a very close friend still today).
It was a bad club. Sound guy didn’t show up. The sound system barely worked. Very few people were in attendance.
(Something I wouldn’t wish on any artist, and yet I hope every artist has a chance to experience this a handful of times.)
But we played the gig like it was a giant packed house. After all, we had a $50 guarantee coming our way and we wanted to earn it.
Shows over. We’ve packed up in the cold, lonely, rainy Birmingham winter.
But we need to settle up before we leave…So me and the singer from the other band go back inside to talk money with the venue manager.
We said, “Stan, hey man we just need to settle up money-wise for tonight”
And with all the genuine honesty and care he had in his heart, this is exactly what he said…
“Guys, some crazy shit went down last and I can’t pay you. But I have a cooler full of deer meat out back and you’re welcome to it.”
I am not kidding.
We took the deer meat and I’ve always remembered Stan.
