“Wisdom is knowing what path to take next . . . Integrity is taking it.”
Robyn Elpruhzlein
Would your life be different if you were treated daily by others and even yourself, as if you lived up to the full measure of your potential not only as a singer, but as a whole human? What would that look, feel and sound like to you? How would your life be different if you stopped looking at the words MISTAKES and FAILURE all with capital letters as “damaging” words and instead used them as learning tools to find the lessons you need to learn from them? What if you found those people whose lives you respected, admired and appreciated and started modeling their behavior?
What if you started asking questions of yourself like these:
- “What If”?
- “How does that help me specifically?”
- “What will the outcome be if I do that?”
- “Is that really what I want and is it truly right for me where I am right now?”
- “Have I laid a solid foundation before taking the next step; do I have the necessary groundwork in place?”
- “Am I comfortable and confident that I am building my own path that moves at my pace to reach the full measure of my potential?”
- Is my life in balance and am I happy as I pursue my dream?
Instead of asking ourselves these important questions, we tend to put our complete trust and belief in what others are telling us is the truth, that there is really only one way to get to our goals; that there is only one path to follow and that is “the path”. We have stopped thinking for ourselves, trusting our own instincts and questioning if the information given will work for us personally. And we forget to ask those in the know from several differing genres and those that are actually working professionally in whatever field we want to pursue.
What I want you to better understand is that what is truly important as you pursue your dreams is being true to yourself by finding your very own personal path and keeping your life balanced as you make your way into this crazy world of ours. If you are prepared and want to pursue a singing career, you don’t have to do it like anyone else. Maybe you want to devote your whole life to having a singing career, or perhaps you want to also become a parent at some point in your life. Or possibly you would feel more comfortable having a more stable life and income and want to be both teacher at an academic level and still have the opportunity to perform. Maybe you find you love helping others find jobs and want to become a manager or find your love as a stage director or stage manager. You can see that your career path will always look different than the next persons no matter how you pursue your dreams.
So take the time to first get that solid foundation in place so you are not just spinning your wheels and getting frustrated with the results. Know that when you have the courage to follow your own path, you will be satisfied, fulfilled at having reached your potential no matter what profession you choose, but more importantly, as a human being. Yes, as I just said, there are some basics that need to be in place, but then how you do what you do, is up to you. So, create your own manageable time-line to get to where you want to be at your own pace.
Slow down and take the time to get each step completely and satisfactorily accomplished as you move forward in your career. The tortoise always wins the race. By following your own path, I can guarantee that you will feel less stressed, and more in control of your own destiny. You will have time to breath, and laugh occasionally. And when you are 88 you will look back at your life with deep satisfaction knowing that you lived the full measure of your potential, had a fully experienced life, and did it your way. That’s how you have power, feel productive, lead a balanced and healthy life, have confidence and are in control of your own destiny. So dare to be your unique, authentic and successful self by only your own definition.
Now that I’ve have told you how I feel, let me know what’s on your mind. Ciao, Carol
