Turn Up The Excitement
When the game is broadcast on TV sometimes they have the cheering fans up in the mix and sometimes the cheering fans are low in the mix.
The excitement is already there…just sitting there waiting for someone to do something with it, for someone to turn it up.
No one has to do anything differently except turn up what’s already there.
For most of us who have been doing our thing for a while it’s not about creating excitement as much as simply turning up what’s already there.
The Guy Who Never Knows
True story...
“I’m the guy who never knows what’s going on.”
I heard a musician guy say this to a group of his buddies at a coffee shop the other day. Everyone had a good laugh, and echoed something similar about themselves, desiring to be part of the club.
Why does everyone love that guy so much?
Because he poses no threat. That guy will not rock the boat. He will not impose his strength, whether it’s for or against you. He rolls with the wind. Whatever is comfortable, he’s totally on board with.
But when I think of true artist or leader, I don’t think of safe. I think of creativity, risk, vision, tension, release, purpose, declaration, the edge.
»» Barbecue guy is a great example of this guy.
Playing In Pajamas
You don’t play the show in your pajamas.
A major reason for that is that you feel differently when you put on the show clothes (i.e. the uniform). The clothes tell your mind you’re about to do something special. They change your mind.
And the clothes you put on are the clothes that the audience gets to see when they show up. Your clothes contribute to the way you feel…and also to the way THEY feel.
It’s not mandatory that you pay attention to this aesthetic detail but it’s a great opportunity to intentionally contribute to making it a better experience for everyone.
The Writing
You’re filling the blank page, the quiet room, the Logic session with something that’s never been done before.
The sound, the melody, the feel, the lyrics…it’s never been done quite like that.
It’s a miracle. The ability to invent beauty out of thin air.
That’s why writing is worth it even if no one is going to hear it…even if lots of people are going to hear it and it’s going to get criticized.
The act of writing is the gift.
Hard Work and Contribution
Just because you’re doing hard work doesn’t mean anyone should care. It doesn’t mean you deserve money or recognition for it.
Any money and recognition you get for your hard work comes from the work being aligned with solving problems, meeting needs, meeting desires…aligning with a market and serving it.
Hard work can be done without consequence.
Contribution, however, is hard work with others in mind.