by Menzie Pittman, author of The New Musician
If you’re like most people, being in control may give you a sense of confidence and ease, or create peace of mind. It’s that feeling you get when circumstances feel naturally aligned, and, believe it or not, sometimes that actually happens. And when it does, it sure feels good.
But then, there are times when turmoil naturally creeps in and no matter what you do, everything becomes chaotic. The circumstances which cause this chaos can be attributed to any number of things — it could be triggered by a supply chain issue, or simply someone misunderstanding something you’ve said. It could also be a combination of several small things.
At this point, you only have direct control over one thing, which is how you choose to react to whatever is causing the chaos. This is where control intersects with logic, and together, those two elements allow us the chance to take a step back and consider our best possible solutions as well as creative alternatives.
Maintaining your composure during times like these is an act of maturity, and maturity is born from experience and compassion. The real challenge is maintaining your composure when you’re dealing with circumstances that are beyond your control. Having patience with people of higher or lower authority levels than you, or people with different visions than you, takes virtue.
Sometimes it’s best to say nothing at all, and let your work do the talking for you. If your work has a unique and alluring charm, it can silently help settle any debate or argument. The trick is having the patience and maturity to refrain from overreacting in a challenging situation. You know the saying: “He who speaks first, loses.”
The deeper problem arises when creative thinking leaves the discussion, and truth be told, not everyone is a solution-based thinker. Most folks in business come from mechanical or fundamentalist headspaces, and their titles are often coveted. Add a dollop of power to that position and the slope to solutions steepens further.
The only way you win this hand is to think like Mr. Miyagi — It’s better to lose a battle and win the war, and not speaking is sometimes the loudest thing you can do. You must trust that if you’re good at what you do, your work and vision will speak volumes. So, let your work speak for itself, be it in business or in artistry.
In both facets of this industry, business and arts, you will always be met with roadblocks. Best laid plans can corrupt in just moments and, face it, we really only have control over two things: the way we prepare, and the way we react to the circumstances we are dealt.
The arts make us feel, and business makes us think.
I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage that when playing music, Rule #1 is: Never Think. We must think when we prepare, as preparation is the key to effortless performance.
There are several ways in which being artistic allows us to sharpen our minds. One of the many gifts that playing music brings us is that of increased memory development. According to a study published by Harvard Health, music performance activates parts of the brain associated with memory, reasoning, and speech. Memorizing song lyrics is certainly one of the best brain development tools I can think of.
When playing and performing music, the best artists and writers understand that while these tools inform how you play, emotional connection is king.
And, as if often the case in the world of the arts, somehow the two come together. When playing or writing music is how you make your living, there is a blend of preparation, control, and expression that you must embrace. All unique and standout music businesses find ways to express themselves in each of these manners.
