KEEP GOING!

One of my all-time favorite scenes in the series NCIS is when the character Gibbs confronts a younger, less experienced member of his team about the team member’s lack of commitment to the mission. The young agent responds: “Sorry, Gibbs, I’ve been going through hell.”

Gibbs turns and stares down the young agent. Then, using his best USMC “command” voice, he says: “You know what to do when you’re going through hell? KEEP GOING!”

It’s Hollywood, of course, so the young agent takes the message to heart, turns his attitude around and the episode has a happy ending (for him).

It’s been said that art imitates life. If that is so, then, for our every-day lives, and for Vocal Training, what is our takeaway from this artistic moment?

For some guidance, let’s turn to a recent article in Men’s Health magazine. In this article, elite athletic performance consultant, Michael Gervais, author of the podcast “Finding Mastery” offered these thoughts to help his clients “Keep Going.”

• Have a clear vision of what you’re trying to do.
• Learn to align all of yourself with who you are at your best.
• Know your own “temperature’ – that is, learn to work very hard when you can (most of the time), but don’t be afraid to rest when you need to.
• Be part of a community where you’re seen, respected, supported and challenged.

That last one is where I come in as you Vocal Coach. It’s my job to:

1. Adapt my communication to you to fit you as an individual; while I
2. Remain grounded in my own vocal training values.
3. Create an environment where you feel supported to take vocal training risks;
4. Challenge you to stretch your capacity and, ultimately, perform at your best.

I’ll wrap this blog post with Gibb’s Rule #15: “Always work as a team.”

Right. It starts with you and me, and includes other members of the MaJoVTA Community, as well as your friends, family and those who truly “get” who you are and what you do.

No matter what “hell” you might feel you’re going through (and believe me: it happens!), remember: we’re in this together and I’m always here for you.

And remember to always … “KEEP GOING!”

M