There’s an old saying that a problem shared is a problem halved. Yes, it’s easy to feel pride in doing things alone, trying to work it out and retain a sense of accomplishment through not asking for assistance - but this is actually just an egotistical and misguided notion. No one ever 'made it’ in the music industry on their own. Ever. If you are serious about making progress you not only need to ask for help but you need to make it a permanent and ingrained strategy - you’re going to need a team and if you can find someone to act as a mentor in that team then you’re on to a winner.
A good mentor will do two things for you:
Firstly, they will share their knowledge and experience with you so that you can learn quickly and avoid mistakes and distractions that will slow you down. This is vital in avoiding the vicious cycle of doing the same things year on year but expecting different results each time - you need to learn constantly so find people who have been where you want to go or have experience or specific skills or knowledge that you need and spend as much time with them as you can.
The second thing they will bring you is a sounding board for all your ideas. A good mentor will not always bombard you with their own thoughts but ask open, leading questions and give you space to talk about what you are doing, the obstacles and challenges, and dead ends you are banging your head against and they will feed back to you about your dreams and plans and help you gain clarity and direction. You need someone, preferably older, that you can process your emotions with, (as you know, a music career can be very up and down - mental health is very important for both your wellbeing and your professional development) develop your aims and dreams with and put detail to your action points and to-do lists, keeping you accountable about making steady progress.
I first came across the concept of Mentoring around 10 years ago - not only did it fit my leadership style and suit the structure of the work I was doing with young people but it also benefitted me greatly too; both personally and professionally. This led to me studying a Masters Degree in Mentoring & Coaching and subsequently writing a booklet about Mentoring & Young People, and for the last two years a mentoring column in a national magazine. I swear by it as a practise for everybody. This is NOT something just for beginners - it is just as important when/if you get national or top level exposure and success.
If you are serious about progressing - get yourself decent input and support in the form of a mentor.
If you'd like to get a taster of what our mentoring can offer you, then please join us and 17 other artists for our 1st Sound Advice Workshop on Wednesday April the 12th in the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside.
Good luck.
We are now offering you 50% off mentoring sessions so that you can GROW your music this spring!
