Spinning Feedback Into Fuel

I’m curious, if you’re an actor, singer, engineer, composer, dancer, animator — or like, pursue anything in the arts, can you recall a note you’ve received in the past, or a special nugget of wisdom from a mentor that you can say has genuinely helped shape your craft for the better? A note that’s inspired you to strive to be the best artist you can be? 

 

On the flip side…have you received a note that felt like a personal attack or perhaps has made you question your worth as an artist? 

 

It’s been on my mind lately and I wanna yap about it so here we are! Classes are everywhere these days — whether it’s a workout, an intensive, a masterclass, private coaching, etc. There are so many instructors to choose from, all with different approaches or teaching styles, years of expertise and everything in between. As someone who’s been training as an actor/singer for the better half of my life, I’m of the firm belief that you can learn from any experience, whether it’s a source of inspiration, or an experience we would only like to revisit as a funny story. We’re all laughing now, right? RIGHT?!

 

I know for me, back when I was starting to learn, a bad note could RUIN my day. Like full on Batman brooding mode and a slew of negative thoughts pointing out how each imperfection reflected how I’m subpar and shouldn’t be doing this. 

 

I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND how that thought pattern came into play. Pursuing the arts is a vulnerable thing. It puts us out of our comfort zones and connects us to our own humanity in the highest form of expression. However, at the end of the day…it’s an occupation. An extension of ourselves, not who we are.

 

It’s great to be passionate about what we do — but I challenge you to pursue your chosen art form in a way that you build it like a practical skill.

 

Bringing it back to taking notes, you should see notes as ways to build your craft and career. In the arts, you’re going to hear opinions for the rest of your life. You may even hear opinions that you disagree with from friends or mentors you trust. The thing is, IT’S ALL FEEDBACK. 

 

When we really look at it, art is “never truly finished, only abandoned.” We work at it until we physically cannot nitpick it anymore, or in some cases, it turns out better than we expected! The last thing I want is for your experience and discovery as an artist to be ruined because you got a bad note, or it turns out you need more practice. 

 

When you approach notes and feedback as a way to grow your career, and consider how you can always strive to learn and improve, that’s what makes you a professional. It will keep your process precious to YOU, but also open you up to be fluid working with all sorts of personalities (trust me, you’ll meet a lot). 

 

Being able to self-direct your practice, or filter out non-feedback when there are too many cooks evaluating your work is a superpower. If you harness your work as an extension of yourself, not your physical being, your confidence and expertise will only grow. Good luck to you my friends!