In January, I start voice lessons. I’m really excited about the idea of the lessons. Yet, every time I think about the actual singing part. Out loud. In front of people. It gives me pause.
Rick Tamlyn (thebiggergame.com) calls this the “GULP!” stage.
That place between “idea” and “action” that makes you swallow hard.
I’m taking voice lessons because I love to sing recreationally, but I don’t know if I’m any good. I don’t know because in the seventh grade choir, after a particularly rousing version of some now forgotten Christmas song, Melanie Hannah said, loud enough for everyone to hear:
“Julie, you were so SHARP on that song, NO ONE could sing on key!”
I just want to know.
I want to know if I should be walking around saying, “Oh no, I don’t sing.”
Or, “Hey, let me get that National Anthem for you.”
Coaching has taught me to go for the discomfort. The conversation you don’t want to have is exactly the one to have; the idea that creates the “gulp” is probably the one with which to move forward.
So, thanks, Melanie, for setting in motion this particular state of discomfort a couple of decades ago.
Creating Quiet
We Are Three
