One week from today is Christmas. You might not make a list anymore of gifts you’d like to receive, but you might very well communicate those wishes to potential buyers anyway. Whether loved ones and/or friends make those purchases remains to be seen and then you’ll reevaluate what you still want.
Be careful, though. This very easily becomes a time of year when you start to get jealous of what others have. You also could fall into the trap of bemoaning the things you didn’t receive. And from there, you sink yourself further into debt and depression.
Having just spent lots of money on buying for others, you forget how much you rung up on your credit cards and angrily start focusing on having to make purchases that others didn’t so you can get that new piece of gear for your studio. Rest assured that buyer’s remorse will set in next month when you get the bill for it. Then, any New Year’s resolution you might make about your finances will already be out the window.
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You will not be setting yourself up for a good start to 2024, as you can see.
Sure, you might need new strings for your guitar. And true, it might make sense for you to get a decent webcam instead of what’s built-in on your laptop. But, the high-ticket item is what you really need to re-think.
I would challenge you instead to look at what you already have and give thanks. Now, don’t think I’ve got my holidays confused and should’ve written this blog in conjunction with Thanksgiving last month. As it is, I always find it strange that we set aside just one day a year to be thankful?
Anyhow, on last week’s episode of my “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast, Nashville-based singer, songwriter, guitar player Allie Colleen talked about how she “gets” to do the albums and performances that are part of her recording artist career. I said, “Right, it’s not, ‘Mm, sorry, February and March I have to open for Lee Brice’.” I love that attitude of “get to” instead of “have to.”
So yes, while your guitar might need new strings, be thankful for that instrument, period, that you get to play whenever you want, as opposed to the person who doesn’t have one at all. And if you’re a content creator, don’t get upset about time you don’t have for watching another Hallmark Christmas movie. Remember that it’s because you “get to” make a new video that lots and lots of people are going to enjoy watching on your official YouTube channel.
I mentioned in last week’s blog that next month I’ll be speaking at Podfest Multimedia Expo in Orlando. I’m grateful for the opportunity and I recognize that a lot of people will get emails about the event and wish that they could attend. When you head to something like that next year, shift your mindset to, “I get to go to (city) for (conference)” instead of telling your friends, “Nah, I can’t. I have to go to a conference.” Be excited about what lies ahead instead of looking at the glass as half empty.
When speakers are starting out and hoping to get booked somewhere or when performers are longing to get a booking on almost any stage, it’s an important time because it can serve as a reminder later. Don’t complain about the opportunities you are getting. Instead, remember when you were so hungry to find anyplace that would say Yes to you.
Create a mental picture for yourself of what you DO have and there being a nice Christmas bow wrapped around it and focus on what you do have instead of what you wished for.
For almost 20 years now I’ve been helping folks from across the U.S. from indie music artists to authors, entrepreneurs, actors and filmmakers, small business owners, and podcasters. If you need ideas or inspiration or help with your challenges, let’s jump on a call so I can share some insights from all my experience and keep you moving forward.