Shorten The Time Horizon

A really good way to become a pro at yearly goals isn’t to make more yearly goals.

A really good way to become a pro at yearly goals is to get good at weekly goals first.


Shorten the time horizon. Setting the goal, achieving the goal. Set, achieve, set, achieve. Get into a rhythm. Get accustomed to that experience.

You aren’t allowed to set yearly goals until you set and complete weekly goals.

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

Have Some Laughs

Just a quick recommendation as you roll into your weekend…

If you haven’t, check out Conan O’Brien’s podcast.

I consistently laugh at this podcast more than any other. And it’s the only podcast where the ads are just as entertaining as the main part.

***If you’re interested in getting to know me just a little bit better, check out the episode with Steven Colbert where they talk about suffering.

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

Still The Drummer

While the NFL draft is still going on right now here in Nashville, I bypassed downtown traffic and went to a show of a bunch of pretty new bands.

It’s been a while since I’ve done that so I was curious as to what would jump out.

Without fail…

The drummer makes, breaks or limits the show.

Everything else finds its place in reference to the drums.

You need an engine back there. A force. The captain of the ship.

***New bands do a lot of things like new bands would: amateur-ish and poorly. But what’s more fun is finding the things they stumble into doing really well, really pro. And there’s always something.

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

Say Something Into The Camera

That last step on to the stage is a mind warp. Once you’re on stage it’s different.

Knowing what to do once you’re on stage is infinitely more difficult than when you’re one step off.


(A metaphor we’ve all experienced…we have plenty to say but then Uncle Bob says ‘say something into the camera’ and we freeze.)

It’s that slight twist. That subtle shift. And all of a sudden it’s something completely different.

And because that slight twist is so important…it’s important to become familiar with it.

Pay attention to that last step on stage. The more you take it, see it, understand it…the better able you’ll be to use the stage for what it was meant for.

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

Pt 2: Anxiety Of An Artist

Something I should have mentioned with yesterdays post is that after meeting with hundreds of artists over the years it’s very plain to see that not everyone wants to move on from being the anxiety ridden artist.

There are a lot of artists (good successful ones too) who would rather dream big, act small and fuel their anxiety with the space in between.

Why? you might ask. Simply put…

It’s fun. Where there’s anxiety there’s something riveting to talk about right now. And in talking about it you get the badge of talking about ‘real stuff’ so there’s lots of consoling and pats on the back.

So what type of artist do truly you seek to become?

Each element you are anxious about has importance. But don’t stop there.

The anxiety clouds the identity of what makes it important.

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

Anxiety Of An Artist

The anxiety of an artist…

reliance on any one certain element to satisfy your desperation. (and then turning to the next element, and the next and the next)

Integrated anxiety of an artist…

understanding the power and importance of each element to satisfy what you clearly seek.  

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