I Hate Mornings

1. pete whitfield

   I’ll book you for something Ben! It’ll probably be a virtual guest lecture on ccmmusic.ning.com in the next academic year. (Dubber did one a few weeks back). I WILL listen to your songs (soon) and have my say. I will recommend you to my mates.
   Blogging gets attention – attention becomes money.

   Jun 26th, 2008

2. Joshua Pearl

   Hi Ben.

   I would like to offer a few thoughts (from an optimistic American’s point-of-view):

   I dig your courage in asking for what you need. Obviously, many artists have experienced and continue to experience the cake and cash syndrome. Expressing it directly and without apology allows me to feel (and feel for) your situation.

   Now can you express more about what you really want?

   There are many things you can do, so now tell us what it is you most want to do. This doesn’t have to replace your open-ended search for gigs and writing opportunities, but it might help to focus your efforts.

   Like you, I have had (and utilized) many marketable musical skills. This diversity has been both a blessing and a curse. As things have evolved, I have found many benefits in crafting a more singular vision…a job position that only I could fit. How’s that for a new business model?

   So what is that unique Ben Walker position that exists somewhere in the cosmos and is just waiting for all of those skills and all of that passion to rush into?

   Clearly it has a lot to do with speaking your mind and making your music. I sense it also has to do with color, humor, innovation, and connection.

   If you are willing, describe your vision in as much detail as you can and add it to your resume. Then you can amend it over and over again until you no longer experience any gap between what you want and what you’ve got (which will probably never happen).

   I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

   JP

   Jun 26th, 2008

3. Ben Walker

   @Pete: thanks for the positive feedback. I’ve bookmarked your site to explore, and I’m looking forward to getting to know what you do. Keep in touch.

   @Joshua: thanks for the optimistic POV. A very insightful comment. I am working hard on defining my vision/purpose, and this post is certainly a stepping stone toward that rather than a finished plan. You are indeed wise, and I appreciate you reading my stuff. I feel a healthy accountability knowing I need to get through the JP integrity filter. ;o)

   Jun 26th, 2008

4. Joshua Pearl

   Hi Ben.

   Cool.

   Defining your purpose and vision are essential. The trick, in my experience, is drawing a link between the big, abstract and groovy things like purpose and vision and the smaller, mundane things like plans and actions that will allow you to reach the big visions.

   Here is a 10-step progression you might want to explore:

   1) Define your purpose by creating a personal “purpose statement.” (Anything that makes you feel truly yourself will do—you can always amend it and there is no need to share it with anyone else unless you want to).

   2) Based on that statement, create a ten-year vision: a set of circumstances which you would like to see realized ten years from now. Include all aspects of life, not just career. Keep it simple enough to SEE but comprehensive enough to FEEL. Make sure it is authentic and not based on other people’s notions of success (this is sometimes easier said than done, but go for it.).

   3) Based on the ten year vision, create a three year vision. You can ask yourself, “If I am to attain what I want in ten years from now, what would have to be in place in three years from now?”

   4) Do the same for a one year vision-except now it is not a vision, but a set of goals. (If I am to achieve what I have envisioned for three years from now, what would I need to have accomplished in one year?)

   5) Now create six month goals based on the one year goals.

   6) Now create three month goals based on the six month goals.

   7) Now create weekly plans based on the three month goals. (“What can I do this week that will further me in the direction of this season’s goals?”)

   8) Create daily priorities around the week’s plans. (“What is the most effective thing i can do TODAY to move toward accomplishing this week’s plan?”)

   9) Now be flexible and “in the moment,” ready to twist and turn with the day’s changes and surprises.

   10) Notice and appreciate what is working and don’t be surprised when things progress differently than you might imagine. Tweak this process to fit in with your particular lifestyle, thought process, and learning style

   These ten steps are a bit of a simplification, but they have done wonders in connecting my big visions with my day-to-day tasks.

   As an artist, you can use your creative license to make up your life and career just as you would a new song.

   You may already know much of this instinctively, but I thought I would share what has taken me years to be able to articulate with the hope that it might save you some time and confusion. A little inspired planning can deliver a lot of worth…and speaking about WORTH, remember that you are worthy—a total new-age cliche, but true nonetheless.

   JP

   Jun 27th, 2008

5. noah smith

   hi ben.

   I’ve recently become interested in niche blogging and have been researching on how to get myself more exposure. I heard your Twiiter song and i love it. Since i’m new to blogging, when looking up how to get more people to my site, Twitter came up (i know ,where have i been?) and i read about a few instances where being soo connected got alittle outta hand. I thinks it’s funny. But as far as cash and cake, i can definitely see your creative approaches at getting more attention and support to continue doing what you love. I would love to link your site on my blog page. Being a musician myself (unknown) I DEFINITELY SUPPORT YOU 200%. Keep it going man and much success.

   my first post @ http://happysad-lastsonof.blogspot.com/

   NS

   Sep 17th, 2008

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