Don’t lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations. Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary to make it a reality. Ralph Marston
I hear you every one of you saying, “I already know what the “prerequisites” of having a singing career are all about!” But do you? What is your plan to get where you want to go? How do you get there? What is your job? Do you know?
Your business is first and foremost creating and maintaining relationships which means having the tools and skills to communicate at the highest level possible at all times, including the time you spend talking to yourself.
One facet of communication for us in this industry is singing and performing. It should not matter who the audience is or where the performance takes place, you need to give the best performance of your life every time. Just as important or even more important, is the communication that is done on a day to day basis. This is called networking and it happens in voice lessons, coachings, working with colleagues in rehearsals and for those that have a day job, at work.
And as I have already said, throughout this process you must communicate at a very high level giving your full attention to every detail along the way. In doing so, you create and establish relationships that demand mutual respect and trust.
You are not just using the resources you have paid for, but are generating an atmosphere where everyone wants to do their best for you because you are doing your best for them as you establish your relationships.
You cannot have a career without the help of others. Your job is to help them be the best they can be so you can benefit from their expertise. You must do everything with excellence, including the boring, mundane stuff like practicing mindfully, going with an flexible agenda to a lesson or coaching, keeping those on your “A” PR list informed of your upcoming performances and any reviews that come after, etc. (Remember, out of sight, out of mind. And you want your name to be remembered for all the right reasons.)
The bottom line is that you will change people’s lives as much as yours is changed by those that you choose to work with. You just never know how or who is going to help you along the way. When others see how much of a conscious effort you are putting into something, they are more willing to go the extra mile for you. Get your “prerequisites” right, and the journey becomes more satisfying, successful and filled with opportunity.
Avanti, Carol
