Be Where Your Feet Are - It is where you are at your best!
I have been very lucky to have this idea reinforced to me over and over again, by many different people. But what does this metaphor mean, especially to us, the Hesitant Singers?
“Comparison is the thief of Joy”
You and I are good musicians - VERY good musicians in fact. I like to think that gives us a HUGE advantage over the virtuoso, the superstar….
We get to sound amazing right where we are if we allow ourselves to stay there and NOT be forced into trying to sound like someone on The Voice or the radio or in concert. The only one actually making that comparison is your inner voice, stealing your joy.
The idea here is to be the absolute BEST version of yourself rather than focusing on trying to be a lesser version of someone else. YES, we want to take inspiration from others - YES we want to work with better musicians so that we become better. But better what? Better versions of ourselves. Check out this video by pianist & friend Ron Drotos, where he explores his own journey of being the first-rate version of himself rather than a second-rate version of a jazz icon! https://youtu.be/D4p5ZDzCARk
Several years ago, when I was living in Alaska, I decided to “surprise” my employees at our annual appreciation and awards banquet by playing and singing a short set of music while people were eating. During the music, one of the spouses turned to her husband (a direct report of mine) looking into the air smiling and said, “it sounds like our church in here.” He laughed out loud and pointed to me at the piano…. “that’s because MIKE is right there!”
It wasn’t flashy - it wasn’t for TV - it was just me being where my feet were, being the best version of myself.
Try it - You will be amazed at how great you are!