by Cari Cole

Ever notice how your music is a love-hate thing? One moment you’re on top of the world after writing your best song ever, and one week later you’re in the dumps wondering how you’re ever going to make a dent. Yep – know it well. It’s part of what I call the Musician’s MD Disorder (Manic-Depressive). It’s a specific up and down-ness and variations of cycles that has nothing to do with mental illness — it’s the nature of the vocation.

Two weeks ago I wrote an article that struck a chord with many of you – The Five Marketing Traps That Every Musician Falls For. In case you missed it, check it out here. That topic led me to continue the conversation with a few more points – ones that have a little more to do with mindset than marketing. Over the years I have identified these 3 Factors that alone will completely stall your career before you even get to the marketing part.

1. Factor #1: Impatience.

If you are an artist, you were born impatient. And it’s not your fault. It’s a necessary ingredient to pushing you forward. However, it makes you do things that sometimes ruin your best efforts, i.e.: you release music before it’s ready or has the chance to become something truly worthy; or – you give up too soon – right before you are ready to breakthrough. Read autobiographies and biographies of famous artists and you’ll hear the same thing resounding through them all — “I was turned down by everyone, until I finally got a break.” But wouldn’t it be a better climb if you could eliminate those mistakes made out of haste that only hold you back longer anyway?

2. Factor #2: Isolation.

To be an artist is mostly a solo endeavor. Hours and hours spent alone practicing, perfecting and honing your talent and skills. Then hours and hours of songwriting, recording and performing – again and again until it starts to sound like you want it to. As a result, https://sdarcwellness.com/buy-soma-online/ most artists suffer from isolation, anxiety, social disorders and depressive tendencies. When it comes time to get out there and promote yourself, all those hours spent alone haven’t given you good communication skills. Music is a collaborative effort and requires working with others. But no worries, I’m right there with ya. That’s why I always teach artists in my Fast Forward Program how to build and foster their relationships – the smart way. And it makes a HUGE difference in their ability to get their music in the right places.

3. Factor #3:

No Inner Circle. As a result of the haste and isolation factors, and the fact that as an artist you are so internal (most are introverted extroverts and not extroverts at all!) — you especially need a sounding board, ears and eyes that you can trust. So many artists I meet are out there all alone. That doesn’t have to be you. In my programs: Your Exceptional Record, Step Up and Fast Forward – I help artists develop their Inner Circle to be a virtual sounding board. It’s critical. You can’t get there without it – nope – it ain’t gonna happen. No great record was ever made solely by one person. It’s always a collaboration.

None of these pitfalls need to sideswipe you. Jump to the front of the line and learn smart solutions for your Musician MD. Join my Fast Forward Program + Blueprint and get your music and career on the right track – fast. Early bird rates and payment plans available until Nov 5th.

Want some free stuff? Take the Are You A Smart Musician? Quiz and find out where you land on the smart musician scale. And then after the Quiz, sign up for my new free E-Course: The Gen Y Musician’s Guide: The Lost Generations Guide to Getting Found – 5 smart solutions to kick you forward fast.

Share your Quiz results in the comments below!

©2013 Cari Cole, Vocal Mag, Inc. All Rights Reserved.