Insight ≠ Change

It has been said, “Let your net always be cast; in the pool where you least expect, there will be a fish.” I try to live by this as much as possible. I’m on the fringe of a lot of different social circles, so my activities are always a patchwork of D&D, rock climbing, belly dancing, and farming. And free therapy. I started going to a great parenting class last year, and the first thing they tell you is, “Parenting classes are not about your kids; rather, these classes hold up a mirror in which you can see your own behaviors.” Children do what their parents teach them to do, so putting your kids in therapy without engaging in some yourself is a little like patching the hole in the living room floor with visqueen.

The most important insight I gained last night was regarding insight. Insight, that “Eureka!” moment when an idea finally slams home, doesn’t mean diddly squat unless you take action on the insight. There’s a high there, a rush you can only get from personal realizations, but without moving, without changing your behavior, the insight soon fades and leaves you jonesing for the next “Eureka!” Even worse, if you don’t change your action based on the insight, you have to tell yourself lies to stay ahead of the depression of knowing you’re not doing your best.

Moral: If you’re going to have insights (and all humans have them), do yourself a favor and act upon them. Insight is nothing without action, words are nothing without action, love is nothing without action. M. Scott Peck defines love as, “The will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.” Taking action equals love. Taking action equals intent. Without action, you're just another blowhard with a mouthpiece.

You are what your deep, driving desire is.

As your desire is, so is your will.

As your will is, so is your deed.

As your deed is, so is your destiny
Brihadaranaka IV.4.5

7 Habits of Highly Effective Performers

1. Smile! Smiling makes you and anyone who sees you do it feel good.




2. Look into their eyes. Eye contact causes your brain to release oxytocin, a hormone your body uses when bonding with other people. This is closely related to dopamine production. Again, it makes you and your audience feel great. It also gives them the impression that you are performing for each of them individually.




3. Move. Dance. Use your hands. Whatever is appropriate for that moment, do it. Whether it’s just a long look upward or two hands stretched out to the people, move. It makes you fun to watch and unpredictable, so they’ll be hanging on your every move.




4. Don’t always wing it. People love the glamour of a planned show, and you’ll feel more comfortable if you know what songs you’re going to play and what you’re going to say in between them.




5. Make ‘em laugh. Tell some jokes. Tell a funny story about what happened to you on the way to the gig or what was going on when you wrote a particular song. People love a performer who can make them laugh.




6. Get to the point. Don’t ramble on about your sister’s friend who’s a guitar player who taught you how to play Stairway to Heaven and that’s what inspired you to write this song. Find something short and powerful to bring the meaning home to your audience. You want to share your inspiration with them, but you don’t want to put them to sleep.




7. Experiment. Think of yourself as a scientist of the stage. Try something new in your set. If it’s a hit, keep doing it. If it’s not, let it go. The audience will let you know what to do.