Optimism is different than pain avoidance. But they can look the same.
Optimists think it’s going to work out, believe in the best case scenario, but have to be willing to be disappointed. That’s the price for optimism, living in a certain degree of letdown.
A pain avoider thinks it’s going to work out because it’s too painful to think otherwise. So when the letdown or disappointment come it gets side stepped for the sake of moving on to the next thing that hopefully won’t be painful.
Optimism can be very painful.
Which can lead to pain avoidance.
But then
Pain avoidance can be very painful (in the long run).
I’ve talked with a handful of artists lately, here’s the gist…
“I don’t really know what to do next”
A few things…
The idea of playing live, playing music in front of people is a pillar of the music industry and it’s off the table at the moment. So even for those artists who don’t tour a lot, when a pillar is shaky the whole thing is shaky.
We’re good at processing ‘no touring for three months’. We’re bad at processing ‘no touring till I don’t know when’. Both good news and bad news are digestible. It’s the unknown that throws us.
It’s a great time to release music to your fans…but a bad time to try and reach the unconverted masses. And so often times with new music your goal is to do both simultaneously.
During periods where the economy within the music business is timid, a couple things happen…labels/publishers/promoters are much less likely to sign new talent and for the artists already signed, the label/publisher/promoter all of a sudden don’t do all the things they said they were going to do for you. They’re busy elsewhere.
So yes, the confusion and fear is understandable and you’re not alone.
But a couple other things…
“I don’t really know what to do next” usually means “I don’t really know if what I’m going to do next is going to work”. Be honest about what you really mean. I don’t know if what you’re going to do next is going to work either. But you know how to find out.
Lastly…an antidote I see working in the face of a gloomy music business is: consistent enthusiasm. Initiating an idea and seeing it through with a smile on your face and great communication. Making something extra special for the people who want to hear from you. Asking for help from people on your team with optimism in your voice.
Take action. Create your own magnetic pull by keeping in motion.
It’s impossible to pressure someone into being excited about paying you for what you do.
Willing and excited are different.
We’ll certainly sell to the people willing to pay (and there’s nothing wrong with that) but it’s a lot more fun to develop a tribe of people who are excited to pay.
Enticing excitement removes any need for pressure or badgering or yelling.
It’s fun to be good at something when the people around you care about that thing. The problem is that to get good you have to do it when they’re not around too.
I think about this often with Olympians. Every four years everyone loves that they put in the grueling hours to be really fast at the 100 meters.
But the idea applies to everyone.
The thankless work that no one sees. Late nights you’ll never get credit for. Levels of sacrifice that can’t be put into words. Surrendering yourself to a path most people won’t understand.
It might not be fun but it’s worth it. And it will be fun later.
