Big Stars and Feedback

(This loosely pairs with yesterday’s post about feedback)

I know a lot of performers who know and admit they don’t have live performance figured out, that their shows aren’t perfect, that they have lots of room to grow and learn.

AND YET…the overwhelming majority of performers refuse to ask for help and guidance to get better…so while they readily admit deficiency, they act like someone who has it all together.

Ironically, the ones who actively seek this type of coaching and guidance are often the biggest stars.

»» At first it feels really weird to be asking questions like, ‘what’s a better way to hold the microphone during this song?’…but then things start clicking and it gets really fun.

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple

If You're Asking For Feedback

Seek feedback from trusted sources when you’re still willing to make changes.

If you ask for feedback but aren’t going to make changes…you’ll probably internalized the feedback as criticism, getting frustrated and upset…and you’re actually undercutting the care you’ve asked for.

High quality feedback is priceless as are the trusted sources that can provide it.

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple

How Long Does It Take To Get Good?

When we first set out we didn’t set out to get good…we simply set out. And there was enough joy and curiosity to keep going.

Soon enough we saw that others could do things we wanted to do that we couldn’t do yet. Again the joy and curiosity kicked in and we got better.

Then real jolt comes when we see that getting better starts equating with getting more attention. So now we definitely want to get better.

And then something else pops up…

The frustration started creeping in when other people were getting the attention we now desperately sought for ourselves…regardless of how good any of us were.

So I don’t know how long it takes to get good but it only takes about thirty minutes to get a little better.

But here’s the real thing…

Do you want to be good or do you want attention? Different paths. Sometimes they cross. It’s hard to focus on both.

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple

Trailblazing

It’s scary to wait for the others to catch up or to catch on…because you look behind you and can’t see them yet.

You’ve been blazing a trail with what you do but are they coming? Ever? How long is it going to take? How many of them will there be? Is this gonna be worth it?

This is one of the hard parts of trailblazing. The good news is that when the others finally catch up, they’re going to be really glad they found you.

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple

The Dance Floor

Everyone knows what that area is all about. It’s the center of attention.

When there’s a dance floor everyone picks their proximity to it on purpose.

The middle of the dance floor. The edges. Just off the edges. To the left or right. Standing way in the back. Sitting nearby. Over by the drinks. Right up against the stage. Right up against the speakers. The parking lot. Everything in between.

And wherever they end up they’re pretty pleased with their decision.

Sounds like a pretty good night for everyone.

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple

Why Will Your Belief Hold Up?

Is your belief and determination strong enough to survive the inevitable discouragement, disappointment, doubt and criticism that are coming your way?

You know the discouragement is coming but it’s hard to know if the belief will hold up through the dark moments.

What is it that will entice and incite you to keep going?

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple