Quartet #19: Building a Meaningful Network, Taming Your Inner Critic and More!
January is chugging along!
Networking is something that everyone knows is important and yet somehow practically every music school in the world lets you just figure it out on your own.
I like that the first link gets into multiple layers of networking because it is so vital and I needed the refresher!
And without further ado, here are this week's ideas...
Quartet of the Week
1. Don't Just Network — Build Your 'Meaningful Network' to Maximize Your Impact
We have all been on the receiving end of self-serving networking and it always feels gross. And sadly, that kind of networking is not uncommon.
This article talks about ways to build a meaningful network which is the opposite of making people feel gross. But it also offers actionable advice on how to get more connected to the people who are already in your network which is vital.
I appreciate this article because networking has literally never been more important than it is now to thrive in a portfolio career. So being able to do it well is almost a superpower!
2. How to Tame Your Inner Critic
This episode of The Upgrade podcast features an interview with psychologist Ethan Kross. This conversation really resonanted with me. He defines "chatter" and offers ways to deal with it. And the part where he talks about "the seductive allure of venting" is must-hear.
I found this conversation fascinating.
Designer Tina Roth Eisenberg asked Twitter back in 2017 what books had changed people's lives and the replies she got are wonderful. A bunch I know and a bunch that are brand new to me.
4. If You're Upset About Something Watch This
That was advice I read and sure enough it works. It's a completely ridiculous video that's less than a minute and will guaranteed hit reset on any frustrating situation (like this video that I have spent literally the last two days making that's not rendering correctly.)
This Week's in TEM
TEM286: Not Making a Decision Is Still Making One is all about how my brain tricks me into inaction when I’m faced with a decision I don’t want to make and the trick I then use to convince myself to take action and make a decision. Lots of tricking going on!
My Final Thought of the Week
Here's a quote to send you on your way:
"Think of your energy as currency. When you focus less energy on the things you are against, you have more to spend on creating what you do want."
—Maryam Hasnaa
This is brilliant. Thinking of energy as a currency is spot on because we all have a limited amount of it in any given day. So I desperately need to spend it on things that I want to do and things that will really move the needle for me.
This is exactly why my main goal for 2023 is to be intentional with how I spend my time and not just settling for "working hard" or something nebulous like that.
Here's to using your energy and attention wisely!
Cheers, Andrew The Entrepreneurial Musician
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