I’ve been “on tour” for 11 weeks and entering a season of what I hope is filled with rest, rejuvenation, and growth of knowledge. This is the third job I’ve had which involves a lot of time on the road, but this has been an entirely different experience. Through my experience, I have composed a series of life lessons and daily application which is relevant to my time in the Pacific Northwest
Flexibility is the best plan you can create.
During my “most-organized” event of the semester, I found myself in a whirlwind of situations popping up along the way, creating all sorts of question and uncertainty. I’ve always tried to plan ahead as much as I can, relying on lists and late nights of playing an event, or even a full day, in my mind over and over, simulating how I could conquer the battles ahead. During this event, I seemed to be losing it all; equipment, red carpet tape, and my pants. I can shamefully say that during the evening of the Finale, I left my dress pants hanging on my door 75 miles from us, and relied on our lovely promoters assistance to manage a pair of trousers for the finale. Note to the masses: no matter how much you plan ahead, your best bet is to eliminate expectations and open up to the realm of possibilities.
Surrounding yourself with good people isn’t physically proximal.
While on the west coast, I was fortunate enough to meet new friends as well as see a few old friends, which was such an encouragement after many long weeks. But beyond that lies a community of people who reached out to me, despite the distance and pesky time differences. I spent many late nights on Skype catching up with my best of friends, responding to fantasy football trash talk, and texting any chance I’m not driving across the country or running a show. With today’s resources comes a viable opportunity to maintain community and establish a support system essential to your well-being. Embrace those communities.
Smile; It’s an underrated nonverbal communicator
A friend of mine challenged me to smile at more people, and when appropriate, even consider a wink. It’s pretty dynamic how much more respect you will receive and give when you make the intentional decision to be kind, patient, and to smile. Some of the best conversations and unique opportunities to meet people came in restaurant lines, public transportation, and situations that typically involved a pair of headphones. I write this immediately following a conversation with the man on the plane next to me. Don’t be afraid to smile at a stranger. Chances are, it will include a brief conversation or perhaps even a heart to heart. Everyone’s got a story, and there are very few people who will turn down a friendly person.
Ambition and perseverance is what separates dreamers from achievers.
There are a lot of times that my friends tell me, “you’re always coming up with some crazy idea for what to do next”, and the most commonly asked question is, “how do you get these opportunities?”. While I’ve been extremely blessed in my life experiences, it goes even deeper than that. We were created to create. It dates back to the Scripture, in which God designated that man was to name all of nature. Our human nature is to create, to innovate, and to improve upon what we currently have in front of us. I’m a huge advocate of big dreams. But upon dreaming, don’t forget that even more important word; do. Try it out. You will fail, and fail again, and once more even. But in what we identify as failures, we actually are taking steps towards a greater success, perhaps in a defining way that we had not yet discovered.