Almost Stories
Stories that tell what you almost did aren’t good stories. Because almost doing the thing isn’t very close to having actually done it. They’re worlds apart.
We like the stories where you did the thing.
Almost cliff jumping vs. cliff jumping
Almost speaking up vs. speaking up
Almost going on a world tour vs. going on a world tour
The ‘almost’ isn’t anywhere near the real thing.
Do you want stories or almost stories?
Being Known For Something
Whether it’s Mick Jaggers chick wing strut, David Lee Roth’s splits, Lady Gaga’s weird outfit or Post Malone’s face tattoos…
Before they were known for these things, they were still doing them…and no one really cared or paid attention.
Then after a while they become known for it…and everyone cheers and takes pictures.
The hardest part of becoming known for something is sticking with it even when nobody cares.
»» Interesting side bar…if you stick with it and don’t become known for it will you still be glad you’re sticking with it?
After You're Good Enough
You’ve got to put in the hours and get good at your craft.
But if you want to make a career out of it there comes a time where you need to make a switch…from only focusing getting better to focusing making other people aware of how good you are…so your phone will ring. So that you will get work. So that you will get paid. So that you can build a career.
A Lesson From Music Docs
Every musician I know loves watching pretty any music documentary. Not only the ones about the big artists, but the documentaries about the small artists and the mid-size artists and all of the rest of them too.
Why?
Because documentaries aren’t centered around achievements. If they were we’d only watch The Beatles and Beyonce. Music docs are centered around stories. And we love stories. And all the music docs tell a story.
Too often this idea gets lost on social media.
Artists are content to tell of their achievements and accolades rather than acknowledging and breathing life into the story they’re telling…or could be telling.
If all you’re telling about is your achievements, you’ll always need more of them in order to have something ‘worth’ telling.
On the other hand if you’re telling a story…you don’t have to wait for achievements…you simply get to write the story.
The Miracle Of Music
Despite the imperfections, misalignments, disagreements and disconnection of the people making the music…the music connects on the deepest levels.
The music overcomes the dysfunction of the group that is making it.
We hear other artists’ final product and think there must have been something magical about the people who made it. But no. Not at all. The magic is that despite the people NOT being extra special, the music somehow turns out to be extra special.
It’s not simply synergy. It’s not simply one plus one equaling three.
It’s one plus one equals…emotional and spiritual connection for the people involved and for the people who will never know the makers of the music. It’s an equation that doesn’t make any sense…but it’s true.
The fact that the makers of the music aren’t magical and yet come out with something that is…
How it goes from one thing to the other is a lovely mystery and is truly the miracle of music.