At the Crossroads
Where do we go from here?
First, a confession. I love diagrams. I love finding simple geometric shapes that help explain and re-imagine complex issues by reframing the way we see ourselves in the world.
It took me 30 years as a music career coach to finally create a diagram that worked to address one of the most common and persistent problems musicians face.
What I finally realized was missing from most music career advising (my own included) was an acknowledgment of what the musician has already got going for them.
Perhaps this is rare because as musicians, we’re always focused on what we need to improve. We start in immediately with what’s wrong or what’s missing.
But the truth is you need to build on what’s working already. So, I set out to create a diagramming exercise that would allow each individual the space to name what specifically works to inspire and nurture them, as well as what anchors and grounds them. Because of course, as creative artists, we need both kinds of resources. What works for one won’t work for the next musician. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach.
So I designed a simple diagram: with just two lines: a vertical axis and a horizontal one—that form a crossroad.
The vertical axis is for the resources and practices we have and know work for us.
And the horizontal axis is for how we deal with taking action over time. At one end of the horizontal axis we are immobilized, and at the other, we are in full forward motion in our careers.
Working through this exercise can be freeing in that you name what helps you move forward, and you also name what holds you back. This helps to identify your behavioral patterns and the resources, habits, and people that contribute to your moving forward.
But there’s more to the diagram.
And this was a surprise to me. I didn’t expect when I first started using it, that the diagram would also connect me with the spiritual issues surrounding music. The vertical axis includes the spiritual reaching toward creative inspiration. And then there’s of course, the symbology of the cross in a religious context. But we can also understand the image as a depiction of humankind with our feet planted in the material world and our bodies reaching to the heavens, while we simultaneously contend with the passage of time in the horizontal plane.
In the video, I walk you through the whole thing. In 18 minutes, you’ll have a roadmap for moving forward—filled in with what actually works for you.
Let’s do this together.
I can’t wait to hear what you experience.
I always appreciate your contributions shared here and in your newsletter, Angela. This strategy was especially resonant for me this morning- the idea that our strength-based/spirit-based "spine" needs to be moving forward toward courageous action is a very helpful way to frame our journey as artists. I get stuck frequently: procrastination, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, staying up far too late, avoiding difficult tasks, and worst of all, finding myself isolated from my community- thinking I can and should be able to do the work on my own. I appreciate your reminder that we already have a lot going for us and that our training and community is there to help move that vertical line forward; that we have gifts that we've cultivated and that we need to share with others. That's where joy resides, but the pull to the other side of that diagram is pretty intense at times. Your advice to observe and identify the symptoms of when we're headed into murky waters and to revisit our strengths and strategies for getting out of that cycle is so helpful. Thank you!!