In a world where we’re increasingly used to instant results, it’s tempting to look for shortcuts among the skills that require time and effort to refine, such as the arts. However, attempting to use shortcuts leads to the creation of unrealistic goals and disappointment. As a voice coach, I have run into many problems while working with various artists (heck, many of the problems I have experienced myself as an artist) and the desire for instant results is one of the biggest. But the reality is that only hard work, commitment, and persistence will get you to where you need to be. I always say, “it took so long to develop the bad habit, it is going to take a bit more time to retrain it.” This does not mean you cannot or should not be getting results, but if you are expecting to come in and the next day sing like Christina Aguilera or Bruno Mars then you are setting yourself up for failure and disappointment. It can take months, or even years to really refine your sound. I can personally say that I have been at this for years and have had great success in getting the results I want, but there are still things I’m working on. I also know that refinement of my skills will not happen overnight and that I will have to put in the time to make the changes I want to make. The truth is that what you put in is what you will get out. Period. And if your expectations for yourself are unrealistic from the beginning, you’ll be tempted to find a shortcut rather than put in the time.
Seeing major artists on stage and in videos can contribute to our unrealistic expectations because we’re only seeing the final product. We rarely see everything that went into developing that final product. The artists we are seeing have put in countless hours working on their vocal and performance skills. Plus, the albums they release may have taken years to produce! It is important to realize that music is the artist’s full-time job, so they’re devoting hours a day to it. My point in mentioning all this is that it takes time and effort to gain long-lasting results. Many of these artists, even though they have been performing for years, continue to refine their craft and work with coaches to do so. As a result, they will continue to grow and get better. My advice is always that if you stay the course, do the work, and keep the noise out you will get the best end product! Will Smith put it perfectly in one of my favorite quotes:
“The separation of talent and skill is one of the greatest misunderstood concepts for people who are trying to excel, who have dreams, who want to do things. Talent you have naturally. Skill is only developed by hours and hours and hours of beating on your craft. I’ve never really viewed myself as particularly talented. Where I excel is ridiculous, sickening work ethic. You know, while the other guy’s sleeping, I’m working. While the other guys’ eating, I’m working. There’s no easy way around it. No matter how talented you are, your talent is going to fail you if you’re not skilled. If you don’t study, if you don’t work really hard and dedicate yourself to being better every single day, you’ll never be able to communicate with people – with your artistry – the way that you want…. The only thing that I see that is distinctly different about me is: I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill. You might have more talent than me; you might be smarter than me. But if we get on a treadmill together, there’s two things: you’re getting off first, or I’m gonna die. It’s really that simple.”
