049: Homework
How did your homework go this week? I've been avoiding mine. But then again, I've always worked best under pressure. The night before it's due and I'm cramming! Let's recap the questions and get on with the work.
1. Why is this project important to you?
The Ascender is important to me because it forces me to put my thoughts and ideas into words and think through some of the problems I am/we are having. There is a lot of flux in this industry right now - there's a lot of flux in the world right now. Deciding to look at these problems from a different perspective can help me find solutions - and I enjoy that!
It's also great to look back through these articles and see the progression I have made. Like anything, writing is a skill and it takes practice. Having a deadline helps keep me writing, and that's a good thing! I also believe there is value in sharing the struggles we are going through and the solutions we are finding, it may help someone else find their own way through their own struggles.
2. Why should someone take notice?
The hard question. I believe this is a tough question for anyone operating in the creative space because in answering it can appear that we are stroking our own egos. For some that's easy. For many, it's not something we want to do. But if we can set the ego aside we may actually be able to notice what others notice.
I think The Ascender offers a much different perspective from a lot of the content you will get from other music companies.
We're not trying to sell you anything, I really don't have an agenda with these beyond hopefully connecting with more artists and other people in the industry. If those connections lead to meaningful conversations, that is great! If those conversations lead to meaningful working relationships for everyone, that is great! But that is not an expectation.
We're not trying to convince you that we're the experts and know everything. We're not and we don't. But we do have a lot of experience and hopefully we can share some of that experience with you.
I'd rather be honest than try to uphold an image. And that is something I've learned over time. In my younger days I would find creative ways to answer questions I didn't know the answer to in order to save face. Now, I try to be straightforward with things.
One of my strengths has always been the ability to look at problems from unique and often odd perspectives. In doing so I think it helps people think about things in a different way. It's not about right/wrong, best/worst - but about searching for what is possible given the situation.
There we go. Homework done!
Like I mentioned in the last Ascender - these are questions I've often asked artists, but have not applied them to myself in this way. It was daunting going in, but not as painful as I thought. I think it can be worthwhile for everyone to set aside their ego for a bit and actually think about things in this way. Understanding why people should connect with what you are doing does not have to be about heaping praise on yourself. Instead, think of it as a way of examining what is important about what you do, because if you know what is unique and valuable you will be better able to connect with those that you are sharing it with.
~ Steve