I have long had an intense fear of flying—so much so that for years I simply didn’t do it. After overcoming my fear enough to actually fly, flights have always been white-knuckle endeavors. Every bump or strange noise means the plane is going down. My pulse quickens and the panic ensues as I imagine my fiery (or—depending on the route—watery) death.
My life’s journey has somehow led me time and time again to airplanes. For someone who dreads getting on airplanes, it seems I am always doing it. Thankfully, my life’s journey has also led me to people and ideas that have given me the tools to face and conquer my fears rather than running down the aisle screaming, “Let me off of this thing!”
One of the many strategies I use when I fly is to change my perspective. Instead of focusing on the small details, I work to see the bigger picture. Rather than allowing my mind to zero in on each bump and strange nose, I close my eyes and intently imagine the plane safely landing in our destination city. I also look out the window at the horizon. It is always there, serene and steadfast. The plane is level and in line with the horizon, which counteracts the other image that often fills my mind: the plane nearly vertical, in a deathly nosedive.
Determining where to put our focus in a profession that can sometimes put the mind on sensory overload is critical. Both the small details and the broader perspective need attention at different times, making it so important that we have people in our lives to help guide our focus. Classical Singer’s 2008 Coach of the Year, Eric Trudel, provides just that kind of direction for singers. Read how he views his role as coach and the important difference he sees in being descriptive, rather than prescriptive.
When faced with the many projects that often occupy a singer’s life—from learning new roles, to working a day job, to caring for a family—the big picture can sometimes be very overwhelming. Coach Carol Anderson shares how breaking the big picture into small pieces and then carefully planning how to accomplish each piece will allow you to calmly complete the tasks before you.
Sometimes as singers we focus too much on each individual rejection or failure, rather than keeping an eye on the bigger picture of why we do what we do. Lisa Houston discusses the importance of remembering what led us to a singing career in the first place, and Sharon Stohrer shares how she keeps focused on the bigger picture to find joy and contentment in her musical journey.
Diana Damrau, featured in this month’s cover story, gives insight into the importance of keeping perspective. She shares how changing your focus can help you overcome stage fright. Rather than focusing on the fear, she says to focus on the character. If you can step on stage truly in the shoes of that person, there is no room for fear. Damrau also shares how she’s keeps her repertoire choices in perspective. Remembering that some roles should be saved for later, while others are right for her now ensures she’ll be singing for a long time to come.
Discovering when to focus on the trees and when to take a step back and see the forest is both critical and challenging as a singer. Thank goodness for the experiences and professionals in our lives who teach and help us along the way.
