“And this concludes today’s broadcast”
Until the mid/late 90’s tv stations ended the day, usually around eleven or midnight, with this message and then the screen just went to static. Nothing more to see here. The day is done.
It’s not like that anymore.
Now it’s up to us to end the day’s broadcast. The day’s consumption. The day’s output. The day’s striving. The day’s creating.
We’ll have another chance tomorrow.
This concludes today’s broadcast.
There’s no SNL preface.
No one comes out before the show and says, ‘hey this weeks show isn’t gonna be as good as the last few…and it’s definitely not going to be a classic but here it is anyway’.
But they know.
It feels so good to preface because it insulates us from taking full responsibility and it helps try and control how someone receives whatever comes next.
But if the thing is worth saying in the first place, it probably doesn’t need a preface. And if it needs a preface maybe the thing after it isn’t worth saying.
Do projects that even if it fails you’ll be glad you did it.
Release music you can by known through.
Work on things that are working.
Play with players who make soundcheck and dinner fun.
Work with people who are good at making concrete plans…and adjusting them.
If you’re in a spotlight, do something with it.
One of the hardest parts of getting to where we want to go is giving up the things that make us feel good in the short term…
It’s hard to give up scrolling
It’s hard to give up Netflix
It’s hard to give up scrolling Netflix
It’s hard to give up the peace and quiet that comes from not doing much…or doing the same old things.
It’s hard to give up the notion that people will understand why you’re doing what you’re doing
It’s hard to give up your norms
It’s hard to give up not rocking the boat
It’s hard to give up the security of your hard won reputation
The best way to get to the new place is by starting something new…and giving up something else is a great way to start.
It’s much better walking on stage knowing you have a good show than walking on stage hoping you’ll have a good show.
Having a good show starts long before you walk on stage.
The best way to say thank you to your audience isn’t to say thank you…it’s to give them a good show.
The difference is stunning.
To burn it down all you need is a match and maybe some gasoline. And anyone over the age of three can do it by themselves. And it’s a tremendous amount of power.
Building it up takes an integrated team of professionals. Plans, coordinated effort, compromise, money, time, expertise, delegation, commitment. And the power comes from leading rather than ruling.
Build don’t burn.