Tag Archives: Wednesday Wisdom

Wednesday Wisdom: Hate Networking? Here’s What to Do

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Do you shudder when someone drops the word “networking”?

Same.

Whether you’re planning on attending an in-person event or trying to connect online with other people in your field, networking is something so many of us dread. Just the thought of it can stir up anxiety, and imposter syndrome, and all of the uncomfortable feelings that general social interaction can produce.

But it doesn’t have to be that way!

Here are my best tips for taking the work out of networking and making it something that you might even–dare I say–enjoy.

Take the pressure off.

    The term “networking” can be so incredibly intimidating. But networking is actually something that we do naturally every day without even thinking about, which is forming relationships.

    If you’ve made friends at all in this life, you’ve had plenty of practice.

    So if you’re someone who, like me, despises networking in the traditional sense of the word, and you feel pressure to make the most of every networking situation you’re in, it’s helpful to first remember that you likely already have all the skills you need to network effectively because you’re a human on planet Earth.

    Then try to redefine your goals. 

    Maybe instead of convincing yourself that you have to meet everyone in the room (or virtual group), this time focus on genuinely connecting with one person. It’s a strategy that I’ve used myself, and guess what? It helped me shake off the anxiety and pressure I was putting on myself because meeting one person–just one–is an extremely realistic goal. 

    You don’t climb every rung on a ladder at once do you? Of course not! So why overwhelm yourself with meeting all the people, and doing all the things, all at once?

    Although it may feel small, meeting one person, especially when you’re nervous to begin with, is still very much a valid success. Not to mention that it can help give you the confidence to meet more people going forward. 

    Focus on finding common ground.

      If the hardest part of networking for you is making small talk, or just plain opening a conversation with someone new, one of the easiest ways to break the ice is starting on common ground.

      If you’re at an in-person event, something as simple as making a comment on the venue or town can be an effective way of making that initial connection. And, yes, as played out as it might sound, you can even talk about the weather. It’s a boring topic, but it works.

      If you’re trying to connect with someone professionally through Instagram, but you’re afraid of outward rejection (or, let’s be honest, being left on read), start by pointing out a mutual acquaintance. They’ll likely be more likely to respond if they know you share a friend.

      Finding common ground can help connect people in any setting, especially when it comes to networking.

      Look for people you know.

        Sure, you might not be able to do this in every situation, but it always helps to find a friendly face in a room you’re feeling uncomfortable in, whether you’re at an in-person event or interacting virtually in a Facebook or LinkedIn group.

        It’s important to remember here that you shouldn’t stay glued to the people you know, as much as you might want to. You probably don’t know everyone, or perhaps anyone, they know, so think of them instead as facilitators who can help introduce you to other people.

        And if you can’t find someone you know, try talking to the person who is leading or organizing the event. More often than not, they are happy to chat and even do the hard work for you by introducing you to the people in the room they think you might click with!

        Remember everything you bring to the table.

          It can be easy when we’re in certain situations, especially big networking events, to feel like we’re not as accomplished as the people around us or like we don’t belong in the room. 

          Although comparisonitis is very real, the reality is that you bring a unique perspective that no one else has (you know, that no two snowflakes are the same theory and all that). You have legit skills to offer and different life experiences than the person standing next to you. 

          Your knowledge is valuable. 

          And more importantly, you are inherently valuable. Which means you have as much right to be in that room–and on this planet, for that matter–as anyone else.

          Networking can be downright nerve-wracking, whether it’s in a virtual setting or in person, but when it comes to forming connections, what works for some may not work for everyone. Luckily, there are all different kinds of strategies that can help you find success–you just have to find the approach that best works for you.

          Wednesday Wisdom: How to Deal with Disappointment

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          Disappointment really sucks, doesn’t it?

          Although it’s a natural and very unavoidable part of life, it still hurts when it happens, and it can be difficult to cope with.

          It’s so easy to feel discouraged and defeated when we’re faced with disappointment, but it’s how we deal afterward that makes all the difference.

          If you’ve just come face to face with disappointment, here are some of my best tips for moving forward.

          Acknowledge and experience your feelings.

          One of the best ways to deal with disappointment–or any difficult situation for that matter–is to allow yourself to feel your feelings.

          You’re entitled to feel how you feel, and it’s important to recognize what those feelings are. Whether you’re angry, sad, or discouraged, name it, sit with it, and reflect on why you’re feeling that way.

          Of course, disappointment ranges in severity, from momentary, forgettable disappointments (like your favorite ice cream being out of stock at the grocery store) to what can seem like devastating setbacks (like being passed over for your dream job). So if you need to cry, let the tears rise to the surface. If you need to let out all that pent up frustration, hit the gym or punch a pillow.

          Acknowledging your feelings is one of the healthiest things you can do to move on.  

          Accept the situation.

          Yep, you were disappointed. And yes, you probably wish you weren’t.

          It might take a while for you to process the situation, and that is 100% okay. Don’t put pressure on yourself to get over it, and don’t judge yourself for taking the time to digest what happened.

          However, there is major power to be found in acceptance. At the most basic level, acceptance is acknowledging reality and relinquishing control of a situation that is out of your hands. 

          Trust me, I know how hard it can be to reach acceptance after disappointment. By doing so, it may feel like you’re giving up or that you’re telling yourself that you’re okay with what happened. But that’s not actually what you’re doing. Acceptance can help you make peace with the disappointment while empowering you to move forward with clarity.

          Recognize the positives.

          Even though disappointment can feel truly devastating in the moment, there is always a bright side, no matter the situation.

          Sure, it might be hard to spot at first, but when you’re able to find the light peaking through the clouds, it changes your perspective.

          Maybe that disappointment happened because there’s something better waiting for you to claim. Maybe that disappointment happened because you weren’t prepared to receive the outcome you wanted yet. (If you believe in a little thing called divine timing, you know exactly what I’m talking about)

          And if you’re just so mad and upset that you’re really not able to see the upside, reflect on your life and recognize everything you have to be grateful for. I guarantee that you’ll find a lot when you start looking.

          As an added bonus, when you start practicing gratitude, you’re training your brain to see the good in life, which means you’ll naturally be able to see more of it every day, and isn’t that a wonderful way to experience the world?

          Spend time doing what you love.

          Having hobbies and projects that light you up inside is super important when it comes to living a full and satisfying life. They are an important tool that can help get you through the bad times.

          After being disappointed, doing something you love gets those feel-good hormones pumping in your brain and gives your mind a break.

          Whether you love cooking or painting, crafting or reading, doing something you love can also help you feel productive and provide you with a sense of control at a time when you feel like you don’t have control over anything. 

          Take the time to fill your cup. Your mind and body will thank you for it.
          Disappointment is a natural part of life, but instead of getting consumed by it and letting it keep you down, there are plenty of ways we can cope with the hurt and come out stronger on the other side.

          Wednesday Wisdom: How to Break Out of Your Comfort Zone

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          Ah, the comfort zone.

          It’s a cozy place, isn’t it?

          But as warm and safe as it might feel, our fear of breaking out of it is often what holds us back, when it comes to moving forward in life. And it’s usually when we finally break those chains that we grow and change in the best ways, and even achieve our greatest accomplishments.

          If the time has come for you to break out of your comfort zone, here are some of my best tips for making it happen.

          1. Start with small steps

          If you’re thinking about testing the boundaries of your comfort zone, you probably have an idea of what you want to chase after outside of it. So if you’re feeling a little intimidated, start small!

          Think about what it was like when you were learning to read. You didn’t go from not knowing how to read to all of a sudden being able to read “War and Peace,” did you? Of course not! And did anyone expect you to do so? NO! You learned the alphabet, you learned vowels and consonants, you learned what sounds the letters made when combined in different ways. Then you might have started reading picture books, then short chapter books, and then novels.

          Fast forward to today, and instead of learning how to read, maybe your goal is to attend a networking conference, but the mere thought of it scares the living daylights out of you. What is one way that you can dip a toe in the water?

          The internet has been a blessing for those who might find it easier to connect with people online than to jump right into in-person networking. So maybe you start with meeting a new person or two in a Facebook group related to your business. Or maybe you summon the courage to actually attend that conference, but instead of overwhelming yourself with the thought of connecting with everyone in the room, you focus on saying hi to one new person.

          Breaking out of your comfort zone can be a process. Although small steps might feel insignificant now, they add up and will lead you to where you want to go. 

          1. But sometimes taking a giant leap is necessary

          Sometimes you need to stop thinking and start doing. Really.

          So it can be better–and easier even–to bust out of your comfort zone like a wild horse and go after the thing already. 

          Just like ripping off a Band-Aid, there are times when it’s necessary to take a big step outside the lines of your comfort zone in order to grow in the way you need to. Yes, it can be scary as hell to go all in like that, but the rewards far outweigh the risk.

          How do you take that leap though? 

          First, you have to commit to doing the thing, and you can’t put pressure on yourself. If you put too much pressure on yourself, you’ll likely begin to get overwhelmed and talk yourself right out of it. 

          It’s going to feel hella uncomfortable to take a huge step out of your comfort zone, but you have to get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. Remember, discomfort isn’t always a bad thing. Discomfort often happens when we challenge ourselves. And that’s a really good thing.

          Most importantly, though, don’t forget to believe in yourself. Believing in your unique power will give you the push you need, and it will get you further than you ever thought possible.

          1. You might be hesitant to try something new. Try anyway.

          When it comes to trying something new, some people are able to dive right in with no fear, but so many others are hesitant or nervous. 

          But guess what? It’s totally natural to feel that way.

          Whether it’s trying a new food, starting a new job, or speaking in front of an audience for the first time, stepping out of our comfort zone can be scary and intimidating. So much so that it can cause us to shrink back and stay where we are.

          But trying is a key factor when it comes to breaking out of our comfort zone because trying is actually us making the effort to escape it. And that’s a pretty big deal. 

          1. Let go of the fear of failure

          I know, I know! This is much easier said than done. But the fear of failure is more often than not one of our biggest obstacles when it comes to personal growth.

          Yes, everyone gets scared of failing, and perhaps some of us experience this more often than others. However, when you think about it, “failing” is actually learning. And when you’re able to flip the switch and you’re able to look at that anxiety of failing as excitement about possibility instead, big things can happen. Like major, huge, life-changing things.

          We talked about trying something new earlier, right? 

          Trying is never failing.

          Say you went to that networking conference we talked about earlier, but you didn’t talk to anyone. That’s ok! Although you might feel like you failed, you didn’t. You took the first step, which was actually attending the thing with the goal of meeting someone new. You can always try again at the next event, but now you have a better idea of what to expect and it might be easier for you to strike up a convo with someone new. 

          What matters in the end is that you have the courage to try, and although it might not always work out the way you hope it will, you’ll likely learn something that you wouldn’t otherwise, and that in itself is a success, not a failure.

          If we spent our lives stuck within the confines of our comfort zones, we’d never grow. We’d never achieve all the wonderful things we’re meant to achieve. We’d never experience all that life has to offer. So don’t let those chains prevent you from going after what you want. Dream. Explore. Thrive.

          Wednesday Wisdom: Tips for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

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          Imposter syndrome. It’s a beast, am I right?

          According to Merriam-Webster, imposter syndrome is “a psychological condition that is characterized by persistent doubt concerning one’s abilities or accomplishments, accompanied by the fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite evidence of one’s ongoing success.”

          Does that sound relatable to you?

          Of course, I’m not a licensed mental health professional, but I can speak from personal experience and observation, and I’ll let you in on a secret: Many of us—if not all of us—have likely experienced imposter syndrome at some point in our lives. And, for those of us in the music industry, it seems to be especially prevalent.

          Whether you’re an artist or a songwriter, a publicist or a manager, a social media marketer or a booking agent, imposter syndrome is real — but, the good news is that you can beat it. Here are some tips for overcoming those inner hurdles that may be standing in your way.

          Be kind to yourself.

          We’re all hard on ourselves sometimes (okay, maybe most of the time), but it’s so important for us to remember to be kind to ourselves.

          That means engaging in positive self-talk and acts of self-care.

          When you think about it, you wouldn’t be harsh or cruel when speaking to your best friend, right? Of course not! So, why would you want to speak to yourself in a way in which you wouldn’t dare speak to them? Likewise, if they were going through what you were going through, would you tell them to continue subjecting themselves to madness? Of course you wouldn’t!

          Being kind to ourselves can do wonders for our spirits and mindsets. It can help us claim our worth, it can make us stronger, and perhaps most importantly, it can help us transform our perspective.

          Yep. That’s right. When we treat ourselves with kindness and respect, we can become more secure in who we are, have more confidence in our abilities (no, you are not a fraud just because you feel like you don’t everything there is to know in the world; the knowledge and skills you do have are valuable), do our jobs better, pursue our passions with more enthusiasm, love more, and get more out of life.

          Never stop learning.

          One of the most incredible parts of life is that we have the ability to learn. We are constantly learning throughout our entire lives, from the moment we open our eyes, until our time on Earth comes to an end. And best of all, no one can stop us from learning. The right to education is number 26 under Amnesty International’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We actually have the right to learn.

          As we all know, the creative space grows and changes at what seems like the speed of light, leaving many of us feeling like we just got whiplash as new social media platforms, streaming platforms, and new universes pop up. We can so easily feel left behind, and like we can’t keep up with how fast trends and technology are evolving around us. This sometimes results in us feeling “not good enough” or “unworthy” of our current or dream positions.

          As fast as our industries move, we can learn, and we can grow, and we can always keep cultivating the foundation on which we are basing our careers.

          Staying on top of your game by consistently attending events and learning the latest news will help quell the voice convincing you that you don’t know what you’re doing. It will nurture your roots, simultaneously helping you to enrich your skill set and develop confidence, so you can claim your power. Taking action is key to moving forward, and it will help you avoid remaining a slave to those pesky lies that your brain is trying to deceive you with.

          Stop your obsession for perfection.

          Perfection is a slippery slope. If you’re an artist, you know the struggle is real. Your work probably never quite feels finished to you, and you feel like there will always be ways to make your creative output better. Trust me, I’ve been there.

          Of course, you always want to do your best, and make your art the absolute best it can be. However, it’s important to remember that constantly striving to achieve perfection is like fighting an uphill battle. It’s exhausting and will hold you back, without a doubt.

          Trying to be perfect — and then beating yourself up when you feel that you have fallen short of achieving perfection — is totally not fun, and it’s just not productive. What may seem “imperfect” to you can knock someone else’s socks off. So, instead of getting caught in a downward spiral of questioning your choices and the quality of your end product, think about all the things you’re doing right and all the successes you’ve achieved so far — no matter how big or small they may feel to you. Has your recent single hit 1,000 streams on Spotify? Incredible! Have you racked up 5,000 streams on your new music video? Amazing! Did you get five new social media followers over the weekend, or pen the last verse of the song you’ve been working on? You deserve a round of applause!

          Never lose sight of how amazing you are.

          If there’s anything you take away from this post, always, always remember how amazing you are. You were put on this planet for a reason, and you deserve to be here. As an artist, you’re pursuing the purpose that you know aligns with the core of who you are. In following that purpose, you are touching the lives of others. You have value. Your work has value. Mistakes or “imperfections” don’t change that. Don’t forget it.

          Imposter syndrome sucks, but with just a few simple tweaks to your mindset, like those I’ve shared above, you’ll be able to tame it—if not completely overcome it—in no time.

          Wednesday Wisdom: Technology’s Impact on the Musical Experience

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          Jeannie Jones is an award-winning journalist, media personality, actress, producer, director and brand architect. Jeannie’s Los Angeles-based multimedia firm, Ready Set Impact, specializes in music, film, and radio production; publishing; social media marketing, branding, and casting.

          This month, Jeannie offers insight into the advent of studio wizardry — and how it has become an art form all its own.

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          Wednesday Wisdom: Tips for Managing Stress as a Musician

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          Stress.

          It touches us all, and it affects each of us in different ways.

          When you’re a musician, that stress can reach absurd levels that can make you feel sick, tired, and plain burnt out. It is critically important that during those moments — when the stress reaches its peak — that you take care of yourself and bring it back down.

          Although I’m not pursuing my own artistic career, I’ve definitely felt the stress of working in this industry myself. So, here are some of my favorite tips for managing stress while growing your career and fulfilling your dreams.

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          Wednesday Wisdom: 9 Ways To Create An Effective Marketing Plan For Music Artists

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          Sacha Walton - SWI Management Group

          By: Sacha Walton, Business Strategist, CEO of SWI Management Group.

          In today’s ever-evolving music industry, artists need to be savvy marketers in addition to their creative talents. To help artists better understand how to promote themselves, I have put together a comprehensive guide on how to develop a marketing plan. In this blog post, we’ll cover how artists can leverage a marketing plan to reach more listeners and build their brand.

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