If you want to succeed as a musician, you definitely have some positivity in you. There’s no way to succeed if you don’t. As artists, we’re taught by our parents, teachers, and by experience that you can’t let rejection or self doubt stand in your way. Well you can, but then you probably won’t pursue this career.
That said, what does positivity look like? How do we demonstrate to ourselves that we believe in ourselves and our ability to succeed?
Some people might say “I’m just a glass-half-full kind of person.” Typically that means that one can find opportunity and hope even in bad situations.
For some, it’s a matter of faith, of leaving it up to God or the universe to make sure it all works out in the end.
Sometimes positivity means being a good colleague – supporting others in their desires to succeed, whether or not they’re your competition.
Or it’s that spirited voice inside that tells you to keep on running on the treadmill, even when you’re ready to get off. Is that voice motivated for a love of what you do, fear of failure, a desire to prove something to someone else? Is that voice saying “you can do it!” or “you will do it, or else!”? Maybe it doesn’t really matter, since the result is that you’re still running.
I think in most cases, positivity is limited to our thoughts, maybe also to actions when directed towards others. A positive outlook is no doubt important, but how can we make it more than just how we see the world? How can we make it actionable so that it impacts our lives, both professionally and personally?
Here are a few tasks or exercises that translate mental positivity into something tangible. I know…they sound hokey and touchy feely, but give them a chance. For me, the result is an energetic feeling of purpose. Oh yeah, and actually accomplishing what I want.
- writing down intentions – what you intend to do, as well as the type of attitude you will bring to that activity (joy, gratitude, openness)
- writing about your desired situation in the present tense, as if it were real
- putting up images of people you’d like to meet, places you’d like to perform in a place where you’ll see them every day.
I’ve found that putting pen to paper makes all the difference. Suddenly I’ve given a thought legitimacy, instead of brushing it out of my head as crazy. If its written down, it exists somewhere, even if no one else sees it. These activities help your brain make associations it would normally miss – connections that could help land you in your desired situation. When we are specific and clear about what we want, we become more sensitive to all the little signs and opportunities around us that could make a hope a reality. For example, maybe you overhear a conversation at a coffee shop that pertains to something you’re interested in or someone you want to meet. It’s really fun to pick up on unexpected connections and see where they take you!
There is a tough balance between being your toughest critic and your biggest supporter. To be a great artist, probably both are essential. One needs to be able to diagnose issues and correct them and to constantly push oneself to grow. But without an attitude (and an action plan!) that affirms a positive outlook, one is left with just a lot of negativity, and often little joy in a career that is all about the joy of self-expression.
So get out that pen and paper!
- Jennifer
Shameless but related plug: check out our recent interview with the extremely positive Jake Heggie.