Allen C. Paul's Blog, page 29
July 11, 2019
How to Overcome the Frustrations of Creative Life (Part 1 of 3)
Some girls, some guys are only about that thing, that thing, that thing.
LAURYN HILL, “DOO WOP (THAT THING)”
That thing, for creatives, is OUR thing – Our creative thing.
You'd love to play, sing, write, shoot, or create all the time. But we all know you can't spend all your time doing just that.
You've got to handle running a business around that thing, or you have other responsibilities that distract you from that thing.
It gets to be a big frustration for a lot of creatives, because we fi...
July 4, 2019
Find YOUR Creative Voice: Keys to Success in the Music Industry with Jazmin Crumley, Vocal Coach [TGGS Ep. 35]
How do you find your way in a crowded, competitive music industry without losing sight of what really matters?
Jazmin Crumley, professional vocalist, vocal coach, BGV specialist and creative mentor, has discovered some key truths that have led to sustained success as an artist, creative entrepreneur and educator. She's achieved goals that many creatives work their whole lives to reach, while staying true to her core values. She shares the key lessons she learned about staying relevant in toda...
June 27, 2019
How to Handle the Turnaround between Late Gigs and Early Services
The band hits the last chord with a crash, the remaining few regulars at the bar applaud weakly, the bartenders begin wiping the empty tables hurriedly.
You look at the time on your phone and sigh. You're not ungrateful for the work. Playing this gig was a blessing for you, and it's a major portion of your income. You'll just have to live with the consequences.
What consequences are we referring to? The fact that you'll have to be up in a few hours to be in time for church.
The reality of...June 20, 2019
Turn Off the Hustle: How to Unplug your Creative Mind and Get the Rest you Need [TGGS Ep. 34]
If there's one thing all creatives know about more than anything else, it's this – the hustle.
We are constantly pushing through limits, making it on very little sleep, sacrificing to meet deadlines and making our creative projects happen despite the struggles of life.
That's all well and good, until things break down. We get burned out. The work becomes a chore instead of a joy.
What about caring for ourselves? Should creatives prioritize self-care as much as we prioritize the hustle ment...
June 13, 2019
What to Do When You’re in a Slow Creative Season (Encore Post)
It's the saddest sound in the world. Actually because it's not a sound at all.
It's the sound of a creative's phone that isn't ringing.
Or, (since people rarely call anymore) the lack of notifications in your text messages / Twitter feed / email inbox from potential clients and customers.
Working as an entrepreneurial artist can take you on a rollercoaster of emotions.
There are times when business is booming, clients are calling, gigs are booked, and we can barely keep up with demand for...
Three Essential Ways to Survive a Slow Season (Encore Post)
It's the saddest sound in the world. Actually because it's not a sound at all.
It's the sound of a creative's phone that isn't ringing.
Or, (since people rarely call anymore) the lack of notifications in your text messages / Twitter feed / email inbox from potential clients and customers.
Working as an entrepreneurial artist can take you on a rollercoaster of emotions.
There are times when business is booming, clients are calling, gigs are booked, and we can barely keep up with demand for...
June 6, 2019
Four Ways to Break the Curse of the “Local Artist” Label [TGGS Ep. 33]
Have you heard this phrase when someone is discussing a fellow musician, performer, artist or creative freelancer?
“They're just a local artist.”
Just a local artist? What is that supposed to mean?
In a hyper-marketed world of social media influencers and big-budget entertainment, it seems every aspiring artist is trying to make it big, get millions of followers, and become a celebrity. Being called a “local artist” nowadays feels like a death sentence for any creative person with big drea...
May 30, 2019
Four Essential Steps to Keeping your Group Together for the Long Term
The Rolling Stones. Earth, Wind and Fire. U2.
These iconic bands have the distinction of having lasted over thirty years, with many of the original members still working together. For decades, they've toured, recorded, shared buses and hotels, essentially becoming part of each others' families.
While stories of famous break-ups between musicians and creatives are easy to find, it's not so easy to find stories of creative partnerships that have stood the test of time.
What keeps a group tog...May 24, 2019
How to Stop Managing your Time and Start Maximizing It [TGGS Ep. 32]
We've all said it… “If only I had more time.”
Creatives, musicians and artists alike constantly feel the pressure to manage our time more effectively. Between our projects, families, jobs and personal lives, we rarely find a balance. Instead, we work through the stress, interruptions and annoyances, hoping we'll figure out the perfect time management strategy – one day.
Perhaps the problem is the very idea of “managing time”.
We're not really trying to manage time after all, we're managing...
May 15, 2019
The One Thing: Why Creatives Must Harness the Power of Focus
Variety is the spice of life, they say. Just one walk down a supermarket aisle shows how much we like having options.
But sometimes, options can be a bad thing. Especially when it comes to creative work. Many creatives are so good at doing a lot, that we end up doing a lot of little things.
It's perfectly true that we artists often thrive in multi-faceted situations. However, there's a point when doing a lot of good creative things is not a good thing. If our talents lead us into spinning...
