I caught a little Twitter exchange today between Derek Sivers and Gregory Brown.
A ‘now’ page. I love this idea.
If you have a website, go make one.
Why? One reason is stating what you are working on publicly is a great reminder to yourself to say no to things that (a.) aren’t fun, and (b.) interfere with working on your now list.
Two, organizing a now list might surprise you. Today, I felt like I wasn’t working on enough things, but when I made my list, I realized that I’m working on quite a bit!
Here’s another interesting observation. I’ve looked at Derek Sivers’s website many times before today, but never thought of making a now list until someone suggested it.
The power of suggestion! Go make a now list.
I wish everyone had a /now page! Here's mine: https://t.co/0xoM3YwGNN https://t.co/oEwFBATFkW
— Derek Sivers (@sivers) October 21, 2015
Now from October 20, 2015.
Here’s what I’m working on now, in no particular order:
1. Enjoying time with Ginny, my almost seven-month-old!
Current challenges: Ginny’s not a fan of solid foods, but we tried avocados, bananas and oatmeal.
2. Demoing new music for a release scheduled for 2016.
The songs are written, and the record is 25% tracked at Solid Sound. Most of the album will be me solo acoustic. Very Nick Drake Pink Moon, but the guitars are in tune.
3. Writing poems.
When I get 40 or 50 poems finished, I’m going to self publish a poetry book. I’m not rushing it, just doing it for fun. Here’s some.
4. Running with my dog Lois, usually through the woods.
5. Taking two online classes to keep my teaching certificate current.
(I’m taking a history class and poetry class.)
6. Teaching guitar lessons at my studio, Dixoboro Guitar. Working on getting more students.
7. Playing a ten date tour in October through December, spread out over weekends.
8. Preparing for 2016 release; updated all Google Drive spreadsheets. Debating doing a radio campaign.
9. Planning something cool for my 1000th gig. (I’m at 967)
10. Writing blogs, posting one every weekday.
Current Reading List:
- Fiction: The Rent Collector by Camron Wright
- Essay: Iggy Pop’s lecture on BBC 6
- Poetry: The Language of Life by Bill Moyers
- History: Lies My Teachers Told Me, by James Loewen
- History: People’s History of the United States, by Howard Zinn
- Every morning I read Seth Godin’s blog.
- Most weekdays I read Jack Lessenberry’s essay on Michigan Radio.
This now page was inspired by Derek Silver and Gregory Brown’s tweets. Go make a “now” page, then get working!
Wow, after last night’s show in GR, I only have five Burning the Boats CDs left, the record I started recording with producer Dan Achen in 2009 at the incredible Catherine North Studios before he passed away suddenly in 2010.
2009 was the same year I met my wife Natalie. Michael Chambers and I finished the record together in 2010, while missing Dan immensely. (“Change Your Tune” features Dan not only producing, but playing a ride cymbal!)
By the time Michael and I finished the CD, Nat and her two lovable dogs Bonnie and Gunshy, had moved into my apartment above Cleary’s Pub…
The title Burning the Boats symbolized the switch from teaching to music full-time, because Natalie said “go for it”; and I’ve been carrying this CD, a piece of Dan, with me to all of my gigs for four years.
Music makes memories. Thanks for helping me make ’em.
When my wife says I have a lot of guitars, I tell her about Dan Achen’s collection.
Designed by Ron Howard, the CD Release Show from 2010
Setlist: Oct 15, 2015 – Richard App Gallery
Setlist: Oct 15, 2015
Richard App Gallery – Songwriters in the Round
with Josh Rose and Michelle Held
- One Way Road
- A World That’s Bigger
- Girl on the Mountain, Boy on the Beach
- Love & Be Proud
- Ghostwriter
- Free Fallin’ (Tom Petty cover, the night finale, with Josh and Michelle)
Photo credit: Richard App Gallery. Josh, Michelle and I during the songwriting round
* * * * *
Miss the merch table last night? Get a download of 22 songs for $15!
https://mikevial.bandcamp.com/album/mike-vials-entire-music-collection
Hear demos of the new songs here: PVSG
Big thanks to Oscar Bittinger for helping set up and run sound! Josh, our host, you are incredible. I can’t thank you enough for your songwriting and friendship. Also, thanks to Smitty and the Lansing crew who made the road trip, your attendance is what fuels music!
Josh Rose and Oscar setting up before the show. Thanks to Richard App Gallery for hosting!
A teaching moment: Asking the wrong question
I love teaching guitar as much as playing guitar playing a gig.
This week, I’ve been giving free trial lessons at my guitar lesson studio to new students. Yesterday, I realized I had a missed opportunity, all because I asked the wrong question.
One of my new students was picking up the concepts rather quickly, and I was excited about this. At the conclusion of the lesson, I asked, excitedly, “Did you have fun?”
He smiled and said, ‘Yes.”
Now, I believe the new student did have fun, but what a terrible, leading question. What do I learn by a asking a student that question? How many students would say “no”?
A better question is, “What was most fun that we did today?”
Even better: “What was most difficult?” Or “How might you approach that challenging part? Which aspect of our lesson will be most fun to try at home?”
Over 10 years of teaching experience, and I’m still learning. That’s what makes it fun.
