WICKED WORDS OF WISDOM, a monthly feature on Artist Development, brought to you by Wicked D’s Network, will follow the music biz ramblings of core founding member, Don ‘Wicked D’ Harrison. Dubbed the Indie Metal Entrepreneur by ArtistsHouse Music, Wicked D unselfishly shares what he learns, living by his motto, Network or Die!
Most of you have heard of ‘The Secret’, a new-fangled approach to the Laws of Attraction. Unfortunately, it has been commercially packaged, then shoved down your throat like an infomercial. This alone drives many of you to scream “bullshit”. I say new-fangled because the following quote has been stuck in my head for nearly 30 years, long before any of us found The Secret!
“You are never given a wish without being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however.”
How does this relate to your music career?
Before I knew of the existence of the internet, I read a book that changed my life. Written in 1977, I first read Richard Bach’s Illusions in the early 80′s. Many of the principles I learned from the book’s main character, Donald Shimoda, helped me live my dream as a working musician. The above quote was from that book.
Another book I recall reading as a teen in the 70′s, was Sybil Leek’s Diary of a Witch. That book, and the companion, The Complete Art of Witchcraft, turned out to be much more than just New Age gibberish. Sybil showed me that “magic” was nothing more than tapping into the Universal Energy, expressing your sincere desire, seeing it take place, feeding it with positive energy, then letting it manifest naturally.
Let’s look how we can utilize this system to build the music career you’ve always dreamed of.
Basic Belief Concept
- The physical Universe is energy
- You are a part the Universe
- Whatever you put out is reflected back to you
You’ve been on stage in front of a live audience, right? Isn’t that a freaking awesome feeling? The crowd feeding off the energy of the band. The band getting every bit of the energy right back from the crowd. Why stop there? Why not put forth positive energy 24/7? Block out the negative assholes in the world, and just smile. It will eventually come back to you!
Basic Principle
- Decide what you want
- Believe you can have it
- Believe you deserve it
- Believe it is possible for you
Ever listen to Paul Stanley of KISS? That guy oozes with positivity, and the belief that if you want it bad enough, you can have it. He will tell you anything is possible, if you put your mind to it. You know you want to make a living as a musician, so do it, you deserve a shot, it IS possible!
Basic Theory
- Set your goal
- Create a clear idea or picture
- Focus on it often
- Give it positive energy
Sounds like the physical world. When building a music career, you need to set goals, right? Creating a clear idea or picture is not unlike laying out a business plan, or plan of action. You’ve got to stay focused in order to claim that prize, and a positive attitude will always take you further than talent or experience alone!
I’ll close this out with quote that is nearly 2000 years older than The Secret!
“Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” – Jesus, The Bible (Mark 11:24)
And a Bible verse for the metal heads –
“Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.” – Psalm 33:3
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