Every singer has heard the term “proactive” at one time or another during their career—unless, of course, they don’t read or leave the house. Steven R. Covey popularized the term years ago in his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The actual concept is intriguing. Focus your energy on things you can control and don’t waste time on things you cannot control.
It seems like a no-brainer, but apparently there are a lot of business professionals who run around in circles attempting to control the uncontrollable, because Covey makes millions telling them to stop it. So what about singers? How can we be proactive with our careers?
Benjamin Franklin said to “keep your eyes wide open before marriage, and half shut afterwards.” Opening your eyes before starting a singing career can dramatically affect whether you spin your wheels or move forward with purpose and direction. Unfortunately, many singers graduate from college without the facts on what is controllable and what is uncontrollable—what is real and what is not real. Consequently, singers often wed themselves to a singing career with eyes wide shut.
In his interview with soprano Angela Meade, the rising star featured in this month’s cover story, Daniel Vasquez asks Meade what she wishes she had learned in college. Her response? There is so much more to a singing career than singing, and singers should double major in business to really be prepared.
If you can relate with Meade’s sentiment, you can get your eyes wide open by proactively turning to p. 14 of this issue and giving “Ask Erda” a thorough read. Cindy Sadler is always on the level, and she lays out the realities in black and white. From startup costs to how to finance those costs, Cindy will help you foresee the challenges of a singing career and find solutions.
Amanda Keil, in the third installment of her new column, “The Entrepreneurial Career,” reveals another way singers can be proactive (p. 18). According to Keil, it all comes down to a simple three-letter word: ask. She shares some interesting statistics, in particular about women, which will make you rethink how you approach your own career.
Part of being proactive is acknowledging and coping with the realities of our industry, even when those realities are unfair. In this issue, Michelle Latour wraps up her series “Does Size Matter” with four in-depth interviews (p. 38). Fair or not, image is becoming ever more important and typecasting is a reality. Sheri Greenawald’s particularly practical outlook, which she shares with Latour, lends needed perspective to an often emotional subject.
So, peruse this issue and see if it doesn’t open your eyes a little. Or a lot. And if you think of a reality you would like to open our eyes to, consider dropping us a note, and perhaps we’ll address it in an upcoming issue.
