Here’s my tough love message. The truth is this: there is no miracle cure, no magic bullet, no short cut, and no fast track to your desired future. There’s no artist manager, publicist, teacher, or coach who can magically transform your career and make you a success. Spoiler alert: your Fairy Godmom has left the building.
Even when we ‘know’ all this, we still tell ourselves “It shouldn’t have to be this hard,” and we think “It’s so unfair.”
We fantasize that “some day”—after we’ve gotten our lucky break—that then we’ll be on easy street.
We read about other musicians’ lives and envy them, thinking they have it made. But that’s just the media fantasy machine in action. And our all too fragile egos falling for it. I’m saying “we” because I’ve done my fair share of compare and despair.
But you don’t have to scrape very deep to find that an artist’s seemingly glitch-free life has included setbacks, heartaches, failures—and ongoing challenges.
The reality is: every artist, no matter how successful, has to work at it. And keep working at it. We all have our challenges and our demons.
It’s not as though it’s ‘won and done’ and suddenly you’re confident and happy, and life is easy.
In fact, high achieving musicians often report that their fears and struggles actually intensify over time because it now seems they have a lot more on the line, and further to fall.
So the real question comes down to this. Leaving aside getting lucky . . .
What does it really take to get your career into forward motion?
You need to commit to being committed.
It’s easy to find yourself and your music career in a kind of “holding pattern.” To feel confused or overwhelmed, unsure of how to move ahead.
And though you might not say your career is stalled, I find most musicians are frustrated because they’re not moving forward with the projects that matter most.
Here’s an easy way to check on this. Assuming that you’re serious about your music career, ask yourself . . .
What are the 3 specific action steps you’ll commit to doing this week to move your career ahead?
Not three gigantic or impossible steps, but three necessary and do-able ones.
Think: what have you delayed doing but know deep down is necessary to move forward?
These are action steps that you put in your calendar, that you designate real time for, and that you actually complete this week.
Be specific.
Is it sending 3 strategic emails to reconnect with contractors or conductors you’ve worked with before?
Is it writing introductory emails to local schools to offer a guest master class, coaching, or sectional?
Is it drafting a booking inquiry email and showing it to a trusted mentor before sending?
High achieving musicians set goals, make plans, and do the work. They follow up and follow through. They are committed to forward motion—to taking action.
And that’s exactly where most musicians fall down on the job.
That’s why working with a coach can make all the difference in the world.
With clients, I help them break down big projects into manageable weekly action steps, so they can move forward with clarity.
My job is to provide the expert feedback and accountability that many isolated musicians crave. You don’t have to go it alone.
I help talented, accomplished musicians like you edit your promo materials and email pitches so you can book more of the work you want.
And, most importantly, I teach musicians like you the practical mindset Tools needed to get past your Resistance. That way, you can bypass the perfectionism, self-doubt, overwhelm, and procrastination that has held you back.
The ultimate goal of all my work is to help you reach your artistic potential.
If you’d like to have an introductory coaching session to see how we could get your career into full forward motion, get the details HERE.
Let’s get on the path to your better future,
Dream Big, Plan Smart, Live Well
