The Bar
You set the bar high; you have to put in the hours to reach it. Only then will time kiss with effort to make a baby called results—common sense right?
But what if you go crazy and set the bar near the moon?
Exactly how many hours are we talking about?
It’s impossible to spend 13 hours a day for 7 years to meet your expectations (reach the bar). After all, you have to take care of your family, buy groceries, finish your latest symphony and maintain a sane mind.
What is the right height for your bar, the LIMIT where you work at your best level (in a realistic way) and still can have a beer with your colleagues?
The Obsession
I always set my bar so high I can’t even see it. Not only do I set the bar really high, but I do it in each area of my life. I want to be a good performer, writer, composer and human being. I want to belong to the 1% of them (in each area).
The best of the best. The cream.
While I juggle the above in an effort to really make a difference and say something loud with my art, the bar seems to run farther and farther away.
I want to be heard so badly that I’m willing to give away my own health.
The bar (my bar) is not set realistically my friends. And your bar may also suffer the same flaw.
Why do I need to say something loud anyways? I’m screaming for attention, I’m dying to hear good things about my work.
Screaming means working extra hours, trying to be perfect at EVERYTHING and desperately stand up and work harder each time I fall.
I’m Wrong.
Anxiety and other members of her family were gathering every night in my own apartment. They were throwing a party each night with my own reserves.
Not cool man, not cool.
Today I’m putting end to these reunions. No more will I expect to be perfect or be the best in each area of my life.
I will schedule time to do nothing as I recover from previous months but will continue to work hard at a slower pace.
This time I’ll have a realistic plan—prioritizing my personal life and my health followed by violin practice and placing everything else underneath.
Even though I love composing and writing and watching T.V. series—that will place secondary.
I will set a bar closer so I can at least see it this time.
I will also stop beating myself up for not winning the audition last week and start my routine all over again. Calmly.
Even if I have to face Paganini himself in a duel of caprices, I won’t quit.
I’m an artist. We don’t do that.
That’s my plan.
What’s yours?
Reply to this email or shoot me one at cesar@tipsforclassicalmusicians.com
For the Empire,
CESAR AVILES