Maybe it's the Perfectionist in me, or family conditioning that says tooting your own horn is "just not done" - either way, making my way in this world employed as a singer, voice teacher and artsy creator, makes me wish that it were possible to farm out the job of "tooting" to someone else.
Being self-effacing works brilliantly for shy, retiring damsels in Jane Austin novels, and can be a rare and lovely touch in typically over-blown political speeches, but it does NOT work in self-promotion.
Since launching Belle Pietre, I knew it was going to be up to me to get the word out. I also knew that I would feel goofy and hesitant about doing it.
Funny, what happened today, then, when Dan Pantano, my colleague from The Academy of Vocal Arts, asked me when I was going to tell him about my jewelry so that he could blog about it, and me as an alumna, on AVA's website.
My immediate reaction was to sputter, hem & haw, and say, oh no, really, it isn't necessary, and who would want to read about it, and little ole me, etc.?
So I said, "No."
After a moment, however, I comprehended that I would be passing up a chance for hundreds of opera fans and supporters to see what I've created. I gave myself a good mental bonk, squared my shoulders, whipped one of my new business cards out my bag, and thanked him profusely for getting the word out about my work!
Not coincidently, I ran into Eric German, a friend that I've not seen in ages at a concert, just last night. He told me something long ago that I often preach to others (and conveniently forget myself), "If you don't ask, the answer is always, 'No'."
The thing about Dan and the AVA Blog was, I hadn't even HAD to ask. And all along, it had been ME that was saying "No."
Let's see what ELSE can be said, "Yes" to today!
"As I say yes to life, life says yes to me!"
Louise Hay
Being self-effacing works brilliantly for shy, retiring damsels in Jane Austin novels, and can be a rare and lovely touch in typically over-blown political speeches, but it does NOT work in self-promotion.
Since launching Belle Pietre, I knew it was going to be up to me to get the word out. I also knew that I would feel goofy and hesitant about doing it.
Funny, what happened today, then, when Dan Pantano, my colleague from The Academy of Vocal Arts, asked me when I was going to tell him about my jewelry so that he could blog about it, and me as an alumna, on AVA's website.
My immediate reaction was to sputter, hem & haw, and say, oh no, really, it isn't necessary, and who would want to read about it, and little ole me, etc.?
So I said, "No."
After a moment, however, I comprehended that I would be passing up a chance for hundreds of opera fans and supporters to see what I've created. I gave myself a good mental bonk, squared my shoulders, whipped one of my new business cards out my bag, and thanked him profusely for getting the word out about my work!
Not coincidently, I ran into Eric German, a friend that I've not seen in ages at a concert, just last night. He told me something long ago that I often preach to others (and conveniently forget myself), "If you don't ask, the answer is always, 'No'."
The thing about Dan and the AVA Blog was, I hadn't even HAD to ask. And all along, it had been ME that was saying "No."
Let's see what ELSE can be said, "Yes" to today!
"As I say yes to life, life says yes to me!"
Louise Hay
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