21
2012
Do You Have A Safety Net Holding Back Your Music Career?
An article by Cari Cole
The pursuit of a dream career in music is tricky business. We all know it takes more than talent. But even with your best efforts you can’t get far enough fast enough. Do you have a safety net in place that’s holding you back?
I used to think my fears were what held me back. Even though I knew I had the talent and was an accomplished singer, musician, and songwriter, I was scared to perform, or better yet, scared to screw up (took me a long time to realize it was the singer’s syndrome – goes with the territory.) I think it’s pretty normal – this fear of stardom. Who wants to perform on the world’s stage for everyone to see – and muck it up?
Then I realized, my fears were a safety net — they kept me safe. My subconscious drive was to be in control, not out of control. Why put myself out there where I could experience failure? But I knew the only way to realize my dreams – was to go for it, without a safety net.
It’s true that taking chances and facing fears is scary for most people and understandably so – it’s how we’re conditioned. We tend to run away from difficult decisions and run towards what is easy. Why make yourself uncomfortable? But the thing about that is – you won’t get to where you’re going.
The first thing you have to ditch is worrying about what people will think. Don’t worry about what people will think – because you’ll second guess yourself, and it doesn’t work anyway.
Second, take risks. You won’t ever get there if you don’t.
Third, don’t worry about blowing it – success is built on a million little failures. So start counting.
Don’t let money stand in your way – spend every dime you have on your career – do it while you can – you’re going to need to invest in yourself – it’s the only way you’ll make it.
All the objections and considerations will keep you sitting right where you are. Who wants to wonder if you could have made it?
I think of all the times I put a safety net under me, but it didn’t get me where I wanted to go – until I removed it.
And you know what the funny thing is? It’s not that hard; you just have to do it.
The thing that makes me most SAD as a coach – Is when people who have serious talent (like you!) don’t take a risk and take that chance on themselves. If they could see what I see - they would never for a second stop trying. Because the difference between those that do, and those that don’t, comes down to the ability to take a risk without the certainty of knowing what is going to happen.
And I get it, it’s scary to hang out in the uncertainty, until you get that it’s part the process and not to let your fear win.
We’re taught that big dreams like being a rock star or doing music for a living are impractical.
You could end up in the gutter homeless and crazy…
But here’s the thing – do you want to end up being someone who is afraid to take a chance or be remembered as someone who had the courage to try?
Please comment below – Do you have a safety net that’s holding YOU back?
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About the Author: Cari Cole
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Great article, it’s true we need to open our eyes and ears to new opportunities and try things we haven’t before. No one has been a success without making mistakes.
I recently moved to Los Angeles. I usualy have been performing in front of my cats. Recently I started getting out to karaoke to practice singing in front of other people. I’m not currently employed. I’m tired of being challenged in this way. My partner has been very supportive. I’m going to school for something other than music to help me become employable. Sometimes I wonder what to do next and if I will be afraid of trying something regarding music that may interfere with school.
Definitely as someone with the courage! I often say, I won’t lie down on my death bed thinking, what ifs! Thanks for this post!
“Spend every dime you have on your career” – SO TRUE!
Early in my music career I invested in things that didn’t pay off very well for me (I owned a music retail store and spent $ on inventory).
It didn’t take me long to learn the things that really pay off – and those things for me are teaching, investing in myself and my skill level as a performer and songwriter, mindset, the right coaching, the relationships….
I am finally to the point where those seeds I planted are popping up all around me and it’s great to see.
But I have to admit, I chuckled when I read that sentence… I run pretty tight some months because I am investing every penny I can into my career.
PS – I always figured if I don’t invest in my career, how could I ever expect anyone else to? Gotta put my money (and time, and effort) where my mouth is…
THANK you Cari. That’s all I can say because no other words are good enough.
and thank you again.
I actually have tears in my eyes because your words remind me of the POWER of courage, which is the way I’ve always tried to live my life. I’ve lost that courage over the past few years, it’s something people have always tried to take away. But I think these words have changed me today, brought me back to the old me.
Remember me when I am up on the world’s stage!
Lexi Starlett.
HI Lexi, Never give up – ever. Much love, Cari
Excellent post, Cari. I care too much for what people think and that even leads me to lose concentration sometimes and don’t fully project my voice, or even screw up with the guitar (I play and sing). And that with the money is indeed tricky, specially when you tend to sense some guilt when you spend money on music-related items, when fact is, it’s investment and not expense.