What’s Next?

One of our all-time favorite TV shows was The West Wing, starring Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney and an ensemble of other Hollywood A-listers. See the Wiki here.

Set in the fictional first administration of President Jedediah “Jed” Bartlett, it focused on the behind-the-scenes activities of the administration – elements most people never see or hear.

One of President Bartlett’s normal practices (and one we’ve adopted in our household) was this. After an especially difficult or controversial debate, the President had a brief period of reflection. Then, he made and announced his decision followed by the question: What’s Next?

That question meant: 1) discussion ended; 2) decision made; 3) time to move on.

And it was a one-way trip to Lake Wobegon (Wiki) for anyone who made the mistake of trying to continue the discussion.

If that happened, “Jed” Bartlett would simply stare back at the offending person and repeat, steely-eyed:

What’s…Next.

This coming week is Week 3 of the Fall Term of Vocal Training at the MaJoVTA.

In the first two weeks, here’s what I saw:

• You were willing to work –hard– thank you;
• Some of you made great strides and executed vocal technique at a higher level;
• Others of you grappled with new (or ongoing) vocal and physical issues, but improved;
• A few of you improved, while failing to achieve everything you wanted, even after working hard.
• No one quit.

It’s that last one that really matters.

Even when you failed, you didn’t give up.

You got back up, dusted yourself off and were willing to ask yourself: What’s Next?

You took what was good about what you accomplished and moved on.

And regardless of your level of accomplishment—every single one of you did that – each in your own way, but you did it.

Now, as you look ahead at Week 3 of Vocal Training, I’m asking you to think back to when you started.

You looked at all the options. You had your discussion and debate with yourself, sometimes for months. But then you made your decision: you decided to go full-on with Vocal Training.

Now you’re here. You’re doing it. So, I ask again what I asked each of you when you started: what is your vision for who you want to become as a Vocal Artist?

How hard are you willing to work to achieve that vision and truly begin living that life?

In other words: What’s Next?

#whatsnext
#failureisntfinal
#dothereps
#majovta