Helloo0O Ladies
and Gentlemen!
Welcome back to
Graceland Ontario, your one stop location for success
advice from the greats. Today, we’re doing a post about moving past the fear of
failure (dedicated to my brother, who’s birthday it is today).
So, as you may
or may not know, I am a musician as well a writer (and, man, I don’t think you
can have better occupations than those). And I perform all over the place −
with my brother. But we all have to start somewhere.
I remember a
couple years ago being backstage at a school Talent Show. Everyone was going
green in the face, looking like Macbeth when he realized his overconfidence
would be his ruin. Guitarists suddenly lost mastery of their instrument,
singers’s voices died, dancers started getting cramps.
And, like many,
I began tapping my feet and fidgeting, as I always do when I’m freaking out.
So, I started
talking to my brother. I’ll tell you, I was a senior and it was his first
Talent Show. What’s more, he was brand new to the school. But it didn’t matter.
He was standing there, as calm as can be.
I said, “well,
it’s a big crowd. Don’t get your hopes too high.” All the usual crap you’ll
start saying when you’re about to do a show. And you’re scared.
But my brother
nearly lost his temper, “so what? It’s a show? You’ve played them before, haven’t
you?!”
I wasn’t
convinced. “But these are high school
students. They’re harder to impress than some.”
“Whatever.”
I tried one
last time to freak him out. “But look at everyone else around − they’re all
scared”.
And God be
thanked he didn’t bite my nose off. “And they’re acting like idiots! We’ve
practiced this a million times. And we’re good. Calm down!”
And you know, I
did. Long enough to perform the number. Long enough to stand through the
judging. And would you believe it, we won third place. My brother, first year in
the school, had accomplished what I’d never done by myself in all the years
previous.
So, what am I
saying? Take it easy when you’ve got to perform, for a show, for a business
presentation, when you’re talking about something uncomfortable with a family
member. If you’ve played smart, you’ve practiced a ton of times and you’re
prepared. If not, you’ve got to do your best anyways, and freakin’ out won’t
help.
After all, as
my bro said, you’re good. It’s only a matter of telling the people at the other
side of the table that. And you’ve only gotta relax and speak with passion to
get that settled.
Thanks for
reading, talk to you later, and happy birthday, bro!
Alex H.
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