Bloom where you are planted, but don’t get used to the pot
Jul 03, 2021 I heard an awesome quote and it said, “When is the best time to plant a tree? 20 years ago. When is the second best time to plant a tree? TODAY!”
So how does that relate to us on our music journey? It means that the best time to get started is right now and not to wait. There will always be a better song, a bigger meeting, a cooler sounding production, but if we wait for the stars to align perfectly to get going.. then we will never get going.
One thing I’ve learned along my own journey is the power of repetition and showing up, time and time again. The way to get better is by doing, not by thinking about doing. The more songs we write, the better they get. The more shows we play, the better our shows get. AND the more we hear “no” the stronger we get and the closer we are to the “yes!” We just have to start doing things and see what works, and many times that comes by finding out what does not work.
So back to the title “bloom where you are planted but don’t get used to the pot” What does that mean? I think the first step is literally the first step- bloom where you are planted. Grab the lowest hanging fruit and keep moving forward. Do the best you can with what you have in the season you are in, but keep moving. It is important to be flexible and willing to evolve and change along the journey. A plant can’t outgrow the pot it is in. In fact in some cases the plant will die unless it is repotted in a bigger pot.
As artists and songwriters we always have to be looking towards what is coming next. Things change quickly and what works today may not work tomorrow. The way that we do things in my production company right now looks quite a bit different than they did a year ago. Not to say that we have to completely change what we do every year, but it’s important to constantly assess what we do and always be looking for new ways to improve and grow on our music journeys.
So step one- Bloom where you are planted and be ready to make mistakes and learn as you grow.
Step two- Don’t get too comfortable with what is working right now. Always be looking ahead to new opportunities and ideas, and ways to serve the community you are in.
I think the combinations of these two elements can not only help create a healthy sustainable career, but can take you further than ever because the path is always changing and growing right along with you.
What is something that has happened on your music journey that brought you out of you comfort zone and helped bring you to the next level? For me, my trip to Nashville in 2017 to the first Full Circle Secret Writers Retreat brought me way out of my comfort zone but changed my life forever.
Tell me yours in the comments!
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