Hey Heroes,
It's true, you know. I have a hard time taking anything at face value. I don't know if it's my Buddhist leanings, or if it's my Punk Rock background, but I question everything. That's right. EVERYTHING.
I've held the belief, for as long as I can remember, that in order for a person to honestly believe something, they have to completely deconstruct the belief and analyze it from the bottom up. In essence, blind faith is for the weak minded who can't think for themselves. Harsh? Maybe, but that's how I feel.
So, you're asking yourselves, "Paul, what the fuck does this have to do with music?". Well, everything actually. How do you know that the latest trend in PR is right for you if you don't question the motives, actions, and tactics necessary for pulling it off? How do you know if the record deal you're contemplating is right if you don't question how many hands are in the pot and where the incoming money is going to? You see, questioning things can make a big difference in the outcome of our efforts.
It can also play into who we surround ourselves with, what venues we play, what sponsors we align ourselves with, and much more.
It's all about being aware and knowing what it is we're signing our names to. It's all about taking responsibility for the outcome of our efforts. It's all about understanding the consequences of our actions.
Leave the blind faith to the thoughtless masses and question what it is that's shaping your life and and your future. What could be more Rock and Roll than that?
Later,
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Show up and see what happens!
Hey Heroes!!!
Ever wonder why things may not be going as smoothly as they could, or should be? Ever wonder why our successes seem to be so choppy, uncertain, and certainly unpredictable? I struggle with that on a daily basis sometimes, but I think I may have found a bit of the answer. I don't always show up to work. Yep, sometimes I'm here, but I get caught up in the wrong things. I'm busy following that funny-ass thread on Facebook, or I'm busy restructuring my plan of attack for the 15th time, or I'm just wallowing in my lack of forward momentum. So, what's the cure?
I was just re-reading The War of Art by Steven Pressfield and right there at the beginning of the book he spells it out in crystal clarity. The Artist has to SHOW UP every morning, without fail, whether we feel like it or not, whether we want to or not, whether we're scared to or not, we HAVE TO DO IT!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who's aspiring to do anything in their lives. It may be the only true instruction manual for success.
Ok, so back to showing up. Whatever it happens to look like for you, do it! I'm about to sit down and make up a sign that reminds me to show up. I'm going to pin it to the bulletin board above my desk, in the inspiration corner that I look at every morning. It will occupy space with Buddha (who reminds me to not be too attached to any outcomes), Keith Richards (who reminds me that success is a long, long road of ups and downs), and Boba Fett (who reminds me that music is a Mercenary business and we have to take what we want). I'm going to put this sign there, where I can't miss it, and then I'm going to steel myself to the idea that I'm the one who will either show up or not. It's up to me, and it's up to you too.
Time for work.
Later,
Ever wonder why things may not be going as smoothly as they could, or should be? Ever wonder why our successes seem to be so choppy, uncertain, and certainly unpredictable? I struggle with that on a daily basis sometimes, but I think I may have found a bit of the answer. I don't always show up to work. Yep, sometimes I'm here, but I get caught up in the wrong things. I'm busy following that funny-ass thread on Facebook, or I'm busy restructuring my plan of attack for the 15th time, or I'm just wallowing in my lack of forward momentum. So, what's the cure?
I was just re-reading The War of Art by Steven Pressfield and right there at the beginning of the book he spells it out in crystal clarity. The Artist has to SHOW UP every morning, without fail, whether we feel like it or not, whether we want to or not, whether we're scared to or not, we HAVE TO DO IT!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who's aspiring to do anything in their lives. It may be the only true instruction manual for success.
Ok, so back to showing up. Whatever it happens to look like for you, do it! I'm about to sit down and make up a sign that reminds me to show up. I'm going to pin it to the bulletin board above my desk, in the inspiration corner that I look at every morning. It will occupy space with Buddha (who reminds me to not be too attached to any outcomes), Keith Richards (who reminds me that success is a long, long road of ups and downs), and Boba Fett (who reminds me that music is a Mercenary business and we have to take what we want). I'm going to put this sign there, where I can't miss it, and then I'm going to steel myself to the idea that I'm the one who will either show up or not. It's up to me, and it's up to you too.
Time for work.
Later,
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