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April 21, 2009
Perseverance
The dictionary defines perseverance as: “steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.”
I like this definition, and if you look at it closely, it contains several key words, around which one could create an inspiring speech.
The outline for such a speech would like something like this:
Perseverance – A Must For the Musician (and everyone else for that matter!)
1. What is involved in perseverance?
a. Steady persistence – This is not a “stop and go” enterprise. Do something every day to help move you toward your dream.
b. A course of action – What will you do? What is your plan? Who is on your team? What will you do to stay motivated?
c. A purpose – What do you want to do? What are your goals? What is your dream? Don’t limit the size of your dream.
d. A state – What do you want your life to look like in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years? What does your life look like now, and what will you change?
e. Difficulties – Don’t be surprised when things go wrong. Don’t expect everything to go wrong, or you will end up a very sour person with few friends. Nevertheless, difficulties will arise. You will encounter difficult circumstances, difficult situations, and difficult people.
f. Obstacles – Things will get in the way. Roadblocks will be put up by life, or by other people. (“You really want to do music? Why?”) How will you break through the obstacles, or go around them?
g. Discouragement – Yes, those days will come when you wonder if you should go on.
2. Conclusion
If you keep reviewing your progress and remember your successes, if you keep in touch with your team, if you write down your goals and review them daily, the discouragement will pass. It will always pass. The difficulties and obstacles will be dealt with. You’ll be moving toward your dream. After all, you have talent. You’ve been practicing. You have people pulling for you. You will persevere!
Maybe I’ll get to deliver this speech someday. I know that portions of it may pop up now and again when I run across a musician who needs some encouragement. I know that I need to hear it myself from time to time.
Posted by leonolguin at April 21, 2009 09:16 AM
Comments
You've outdone yourself, Leon! Excellent article on perseverance! I know there were some gigs in the past where you would say, "Well, this is one for the record books", and we would learn from it and keep on going and not let the situation take away from the joy of playing! Every gig had a story to tell, good or not so good, which we learned from. Had we given up and not perservered, look at all the fun we would have missed! I have fond memories of our gigs, and the rehearsals too!
Posted by: Sandy at April 22, 2009 12:02 AM