"I Did What It Took To Get By"

As I went to write a blog post last night to express some thoughts that have been on my mind lately, I found a blog post that I started to write a year ago. The funny/weird/coincidental thing is that these are some of the same thoughts that I have been having lately.

The following is what I had written a year ago:

"Sometimes you don't realize how blessed you are at a young age.  Tonight I was reminded of just how blessed I am.

I have been very fortunate to have many wonderful people as role models throughout my life-even when I didn't realize it.  As I stood talking with three of my four trumpet teachers tonight, I realized that I've had some amazing teachers. I realized that I have the ability to be an amazing trumpet player and musician...

I've been very blessed that for the 10 years that I have played trumpet, I have also been able to take private lessons.  I never realized how lucky I was to be able to study privately until I went to college..My parents provided me with the tools to become successful...but I didn't take advantage..I did what it took to get by."

My, oh, my.  How true these thoughts are still today. I have really been thinking about the last line: "I did what it took to get by."  Sometimes life gets stressful, and we aren't able to practice like we want to...but if we have a sense of control in our life, then does life have to pan out this way??? I think this statement applies to how I have approached things the past few weeks..I did the minimum of what needed to be done, just to survive and get by. But I'm not happy with 'just getting by'...so I need to remember this as I finish out the semester.

In regards to the statement mentioned above, I started thinking about how one of my teachers would remind me that even though I did what it took to get by, I always put in the work when it was needed...I mean, I guess that's good in a way..but why would I want to be average...because as another teacher once told me: the world would be boring if everyone was average/normal.

The last two weeks before break were extremely busy, but also very motivating.  Motivating in the sense that I have been super excited about music therapy...but then, in-turn, I have pushed the trumpet more to the side..and I don't like that fact..because both music therapy and the trumpet are important to me. These two things make me who I am. I know that I don't want to be great at one or the other...I'm an over-achiever, and I want to be great at both..

The problem with wanting to be great at both is that I have to find a balance between the two..but to be honest, I don't think that I will ever fully have the 'balance' of the two figured out. In a way, this is what keeps me intrigued, interested, and motivated. But in another way, this is what makes me frustrated and want to quit...

SO, here's to me continuing my adventure of attempting to find a balance between the things that I love. I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me and continues to support me as I follow my dreams. I couldn't do it without all of you.

"The Title Doesn't Matter"

"A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent." ~Douglas MacArthur

One of the sessions that I attended at the AMTA National Conference was on leadership and how to find your voice as a student and young professional. I chose this session because it sounded interesting...but if you know me, you are probably thinking something like "Why would she go to that? She doesn't have any problems being a leader or expressing her views." 

The reality is that even though I am a true extrovert, there are still times when I struggle with being a leader. It isn't always easy being the one who takes charge and puts in the countless hours of work without being recognized. That's why I went to this session..because lately I had been feeling overwhelmed and felt that I could have been doing a better job as a leader.

One of the biggest things that stuck out to me during the session was that "the title doesn't matter." This really stuck out to me because it was a reminder that you don't have to have a title in order to be a leader. As a music therapist, by showing up to a session and taking charge, you are being a leader.  By coming to class prepared and on time, you are being a leader. By attending you music therapy student organization meeting, you are being a leader...because it shows that you care. 

Often times the 'leaders' who get recognized are the ones who have the big title and are in charge of things...but we have to remember that a lot of the times the true leaders are the ones who show up day-in and day-out without being recognized. 

At the end of the session, the presenters shared quotes about leadership. The attendees shared which ones stuck out to them and why. Here is the quote that stood out to me:

Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. ~Steve Jobs

This quotes was a reminder that if you are going to be a great leader, no matter your title, you have to be innovative.  We live in an ever-changing world, and we have to adapt. What worked 20 years-ago may not work today...and what worked 2 years-ago might not work today. As leaders, we have to be willing to adapt. The adaptations that have to be made may not be what you as the leader think should happen, but it is about adapting for the betterment of your group or followers.