Is the Water Rising Around You? Choose to Swim.

by Drew Holmes

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. With Step-Up Day fast approaching, traveling to see family, preparing for the Midwest Conference, and all the usual end of year activities, getting everything done seems impossible. It feels like the water level is increasing and beginning to rise above my head.

Why do I feel this way? Whether it is friends or family I do not want to let anyone down. My greatest fear is falling short not only of their expectations but also the ones I have for myself.

The immediate source of stress is Step-Up Day. The last one we hosted was a great success and our system was dialed in for a great event. But that was two years ago. Since then, we have new staff, new customers, and the ever-present specter of global supply chain issues. Will we have enough instruments? Will they be the right ones? What if no one comes? What if everyone comes? These are the same questions and concerns I had before our first Step-Up Day. It feels like we are starting over.

How do I overcome these feeling of fear and self-doubt? By keeping three things in mind:

1. Knowledge

2. Acceptance

3. Gratitude

Knowledge — We have had this event in the past. I know it can and has been a great success. And those rare times we fell short of expectations we found creative solutions, sometimes with greater success than anticipated. We have done it before; we will do it again.

Acceptance — We can only do what we can do. We have prepared as much as possible to overcome the obstacles before us. Holding the event, getting back to normal, and continuing our mission of helping people learn to love music through music making is a fantastic victory.

Gratitude — This is the most important of all. I am thankful to be able to do what I do. The community trusts me and my staff to support their music making efforts, a responsibility that I am honored to have. With so much that has gone wrong over the last two years it is easy to lose sight of everything that has gone right. Taking time to reflect and be grateful recenters me in ways that nothing else can.

These same principles apply to performing music. How often have we worried that a performance was going to fall short of our expectations or the audience would not like it? When faced with these feeling of self-doubt I know I am prepared, accept the performance is going to be the best it can be on that day, and have gratitude for the opportunity to make music. Performing is a rare privilege and one I am always thankful for.

Fully eliminating feelings of fear and self-doubt may not be possible, but it can be managed. Regardless of self-imposed expectations or standards, our community is behind my team and we will collaborate to find solutions for whatever challenges we face together. That is success by any measure.

When faced with rising waters we have two choices: sink or swim. With so much love and support we will all rise together.