Your dreams, goals and musical aspirations are the most important things you have. They are what later become your life. In the big picture sense they are your life. They are your accomplishments and successes in the embryonic stages. They must be guarded, nurtured and cared for until they come to fruition.

Be very careful who you share them with. Be sure to only share them with people you are confident will be supportive and encouraging. This is especially important when you are in the early stages and if your goals are particularly ambitious. When you are going into new territory and aiming high you need people around you who believe in you.

Avoid negativity. Avoid negative people. Avoid people who tell you “you can’t,” or that what you’re aiming to do is “not possible.” At best this is simply energy draining. While you hold your ground, defend your dream and maintain a positive attitude you’re wasting energy that you could direct towards your goal. Conversely people who encourage you and believe in you actually give you energy and add to your momentum. At worst negativity can actually be dangerous and derail you from your path. It can cause you to second guess your self and choose security over success.

Seek out successful people. Seek out people who are already doing what you plan to do. Listen to their advice and emulate them. Success leaves tracks. Learn from those who have achieved it. Find the people who say “you can.”

Put on success blinders. Focus on what you want. Focus on results. Keep your eyes on the target. Anything is possible so long as it doesn’t violate natural law. If someone else has done it then you can too. Focus on the goal. Ignore the reasons why you can’t. Ignore the resources or advantages you don’t have. Instead focus on the reasons why you can and focus on what you do have. Obstacles will arise. Trust yourself, persevere and you will overcome.

Action Step: Take a look at your musical associates. Who are the people that you spend the majority of your time with? Are they positive and supportive or negative and discouraging? If you answered the later you may want to reconsider that relationship. Or least limit your time with them and guard your dreams. This is one of toughest exercises to complete. It’s not easy evaluating long standing relationships in this way. But if someone is keeping you down with negativity, you owe it to yourself to do something about it.

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Chris Punis is an active jazz musician in the northeast. He is founding member of the critically acclaimed group Gypsy Schaeffer and a member of renowned saxophonist Charlie Kohlhase’s group The Explorer’s Club. Chris is also an accomplished jazz educator and author of “The Monster Jazz Formula”. For more information about his teaching methods and to receive your free lessons, “21 Great Ways To Become a Monster Jazz Musician”, visit www.learnjazzfaster.com

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