So you have a great meal that inspires you to achieve new heights in the culinary arts. However, boiling water is a challenge, you don't own a decent knife, let alone know how to slice, julienne, or mince, and your current repertoire of knowledge is limited to reading the box for suggested microwave cooking times. So instead, you let the dream go and order pizza.
Inspiration hits us for a reason, and even though the road may be long and without a Food Network contract, it's a journey worth taking. The upside is you develop new skills, eat healthier meals with fewer preservatives, and accomplish new things in your life that are extremely gratifying.
Having just returned from the inaugural Jazz Education Network conference, there's a lot of great information swirling in my head in need of digestion. In order to savor these captured moments, words of wisdom, and inspiring performances, I write. What stands out? What resonated? Why did certain ideas move me? How can I implement these new ideas into my life? Will these ideas transfer to other aspects of my musical career? Open new doors? Help me grow as a musician and educator?
When inspiration strikes, follow through with a few clarifying steps.
Step One:
Write down what inspired. Performances, quotes, ideas, conversations, anecdotes, etc.
Step Two:
Take a moment to reevaluate your goals- short medium and long term. How can this new inspiration meld with your goals?
Step Three:
Keep it in perspective and get to it!
Step Four:
Periodically revisit your list(s) of inspiration and re-sync your goals.
The great vibraphonist Stefon Harris made an excellent point in his clinic- when you step back and see what there is to learn, it can be overwhelming. So he gives himself parameters and decides to focus on the fundamentals. If he's amazing at the fundamentals (which he is), then he can get closer to being amazing at everything (which he already is).
Take your inspiration and move forward. It's a journey worth pursuing with guaranteed growth!
Please visit my website at www.jameswdoyle.com
No comments:
Post a Comment