Taking the Giant Step

Sometimes, when we are going somewhere with our music, that fateful email will finally arrive, or we will meet that influential someone, and we will be scared out of our wits. Do you run away, and stay at the comfortable level you are at for a while more? Or do we stay there, stammer like amateurs and make total fools of ourselves? I, for one, am for turning the water temp up a little higher and seeing if we can stand the hotter environment. You don’t know unless you try, and every failure has a lesson within it, so go for it, and see what happens! Here are a few suggestions to ready you for that special time.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

If you have been rehearsing on a regular basis, writing your music and/or lyrics as often as possible, and getting out and exposing them to the world in whatever way you can, you have won half the battle. Try, too, to imagine yourself finally meeting the people you need to—think of what you could say, and write it down. Does it sound silly upon a later reading? Just like you do your music, practice various things you could say and do and rehearse them in front of a mirror if you can, just to make sure you are comfortable with what you come up with. Could your clothes or other outward appearance use improvement? It’s best to be as natural as possible, in any case, and wear clothes at all times, if you can, that you wouldn’t mind meeting that special person in—you don’t have to spend any additional money, just make sure your current wardrobe is mended, clean and doesn’t detract from the image you want to project. To be honest, if you are a punk rocker, a business suit is not a good idea, but not reeking of body odor would be helpful. If you are into country, perhaps the frilly cocktail gown isn’t the best idea, either, nor would be the overpowering expensive perfume. If you were spotted at work by a rep, would you be able to comfortably stop and talk with someone? Practice being able to stop what you are doing without getting yourself in an uncomfortable situation—if your hands might be dirty, do you have something to wipe them off with nearby so you can shake hands? Is there someone you can count on to fill in for you for a moment so you can chat with someone? Can you take a few moments without causing ire with coworkers? Practice doing these things, and use that scouting motto of “be prepared.” You never know when this might happen. If you’ve at least gone through a few “fire drills” of sorts, you will be far more comfortable when the time comes, and come across far better to those you need to impress.

Go To Page: 1 2 3 4