Tales From The Lane
Living Your Best Life as Creative Artist
Category: Performing
The Perfection Paradox
In my work as a coach–both with my group programs and in my 1:1 work, my clients have one huge thing in common: They are all seriously high achievers. Concert violinists, principal players in orchestras, department chairs at Big.Important.Schools. Doctors, lawyers, mathematicians, community activists–… Continue Reading “The Perfection Paradox”
Course Correcting Part 2: Navigating Change
In last week’s blog post, we talked about what it feels like to realize your life or career has somehow gotten off track. We’re not necessarily talking about a majorly negative thing, here, though it could also be that. For most of us though,… Continue Reading “Course Correcting Part 2: Navigating Change”
Getting Through a “Spectacularly Busy Time” Like a Champ
The parent of one of my chamber music students texted me the other day to say that her daughter would need to leave our next coaching early in order to get to her school music concert. She was so apologetic–she knows that the group… Continue Reading “Getting Through a “Spectacularly Busy Time” Like a Champ”
How to Tell if You’re Unhappy, or Just Uncomfortable
Growing up, I would often kick up a fuss about having to go to my Saturday afternoon cello group class, play in a recital, or anything scary like that. “Too bad.” My mom would say, shoving my flailing and sobbing body into the car,… Continue Reading “How to Tell if You’re Unhappy, or Just Uncomfortable”
Spotlight: Laura Sinclair– Violist, Educator, and Speaker
This month’s Spotlight interview brings me immense joy and pride. Not only is our featured artist amazingly inspiring, but she’s also a long-term client and friend. Laura Sinclair has created the artist’s dream life, with her ideal balance of performances (because one really shouldn’t… Continue Reading “Spotlight: Laura Sinclair– Violist, Educator, and Speaker”
Resetting the Thermostat On Your Life
When I lived in Boston, whether I was feeling broke or simply in one of my “I should save as much as possible” phases, I would decide that I could lower the thermostat in my condo, and cozy up in wool socks and warm… Continue Reading “Resetting the Thermostat On Your Life”
In Praise of the Expected
I was incredibly fortunate to have grown up in an almost surreal musical environment where everyone was good. Like, really good. As a group of young musicians, we were almost absurdly good. The bar was high, and in our own individual ways, we… Continue Reading “In Praise of the Expected”
How to Plan For the New Year in an Age of Uncertainty
All of us planners out there in the world learned an important lesson in 2020. You can make all the plans you want, but… You know how that one ends. And it’s true, we only have so much control over how things will… Continue Reading “How to Plan For the New Year in an Age of Uncertainty”
An Artist’s Struggle for Balance
There’s been an interesting transformation over the last decade or so between what is now known as “Hustle Culture” (complete with those horrid rose gold embossed “Boss Babe” mugs—cringe) and today’s current “Self-Care or Bust” mentality. Don’t get me wrong–we need to take care… Continue Reading “An Artist’s Struggle for Balance”
Why It’s So Hard for Artists to Believe in Themselves
I can remember it so clearly. It was a gorgeous spring day—the kind you look forward to for months when you’re living in New England. The kind that puts everyone in a good mood. And I was in a great mood for other reasons… Continue Reading “Why It’s So Hard for Artists to Believe in Themselves”