You Either Get Better or You Get Worse

My high school basketball had a saying that has stuck with me to this day, "Every day you either get better or you get worse." At first, I didn't believe this was true. What if we stay the same from time to time? What if we are stagnant occasionally? And is that really so bad? But as time has passed I have realized that whether or not it's true, it's still worth it to believe it.

When we buy into this idea that we either take a step forward or a step backward each day, it motivates us to become better. When faced with the possibility of moving in the wrong direction, we will most likely choose to move forward instead of backward. If we are intrinsically motivated enough and we have our goals set, we will do anything in our power to reach that goal, and every move that hinders you won't be acceptable. Motivation matters a lot here. If you aren't that motivated, you won't care what direction you move in. Intrinsically motivated people will do what they can to not move backward but instead move toward their goal with every move they make.

There are some days when we feel like we pretty much stayed the same. In my mind, this is the same as a step backward. When we waste the opportunity to take a step forward and improve, it is the same as taking a step in the wrong direction. Every day we are given the opportunity to improve, and we must take these opportunities seriously.

How does this relate to music and music production? While many people feel that musical ability is either something you have or you don't have, the truth is that music is something that can be developed just like any other skill, through deliberate, intentional practice. There is a big myth about talent and how it is developed and if we believe that only "talented" people can be musical, we have the wrong mindset. We are instantly setting ourselves up for failure. When we can see a path forward, we are more likely to take the steps necessary to improve. A positive attitude and a belief that one can improve is the first path forward in any musical journey.

The best thing about this whole thing is that we get to decide which direction we move in each day. We get the choice to take a step forward or a step backward. Make the correct choice.