Escaping The Time Trap

Keeping Time

A few weeks ago when I was trying to prepare myself for a musician's life I realized that if I didn't have some help managing my time I'd probably end up wasting an unacceptable amount of it.

When I looked for a tool to help me, one system in particular stood out. The Strategic Coach led by a guy named Dan Sullivan is a company which helps entrepreneurs get to the next level on their chosen paths. Dan has developed a system of time management that I'm very excited about. It's called The Time Breakthrough and it seems to be useful to anyone who is responsible for managing their own time. (That's pretty much most of us these days whether we realize it or not.) I'll let you check it out for yourselves if interested, but the promise of greater effectiveness and increased free time has hooked me into at least giving it a shot.

Later,

Dave

Free Your Mind And Your Voice Will Follow

If You Love Something...

I'm starting something new today that I'm pretty excited about. I'm beginning to work through the book Set Your Voice Free by acclaimed vocal coach Roger Love. I've had the book for several months but just now have time to commit to doing the lessons.

I love to sing, but have never had the amount of control over my voice I really want. I'm hoping the guy who helps A-list actors, musicians, and presidential candidates can help me too. I'm supposed to work on one lesson and then do the exercises all week before moving on. Should be a lot of fun. I just love growing my skills to match my vision.

Cheers,

Dave

It's A Cat's Life

Hi Everyone,

It's cold and rainy here today but I don't think my cats know. Whoever said, "It's a dog's life" never met Tigger and Panzer. Sometimes I think I'm gonna' come home to find two cat-colored puddles in front of the fireplace.

Anyway I'm here slaving away writing songs and rehearsing my live act and I thought I'd invite you to meet me at The Triple Door later for some music and snacks. My good friends The Jelly Rollers are going to be dishing out some traditional acoustic blues done right in the lounge with no cover. It's sure to be a lot of fun. Also, with happy hour pricing a couple snacks from the renown neighboring Wild Ginger amount to a gourmet meal at fast food prices.

So if you can drop by and enjoy the show with me please do. I plan on being there around five-ish.

Cheers,

Dave

Spring Cleaning - Early

Free Your Desk And Your Mind Will Follow

I hate to admit it, but I've been so busy with other obligations (like a full-time job) that my desk and studio in general has become increasingly cluttered over the past few months. Ever try to sit down at a cluttered work space and create - of even focus? It's not a good thing. So I rolled up my sleeves and did the deed. Whew! I feel like a load's been lifted. What's more is I feel able to focus on my core talents. and not

on why books I haven't touched for three months are still on my desk. To me office cleaning (or garage, or whatever) is one of those things that become bigger and more fearful the longer you put it off. Once you wade in and just start doing it the chore suddenly shrinks back down to a manageable amount of work. At least that's how it feels when I'm done.

Cleanfully Cheerful,

Dave

Interaction Encouraged

Tapping On The Two-Way Mirror

I just want to point out that this blog is intended as more than a soap box behind a two-way mirror on which I lecture while all of you just watch. You can talk back! Just click on the "comment" link at the bottom of a post and let me hear from you too. You can even click on the envelope icon and forward the post to someone you know who might be interested. The bottom line is I'd love to hear your comments.

Cheers,

Dave

Life Lessons In a Foot-Race

The Seattle Marathon,

First things first. I ran the half marathon, finished, and lived to blog about it.

As you may recall, Meg came to me a few weeks ago and asked if I wanted to run the Seattle half marathon with her. I'm not a runner, but I just figured it was a good to challenge my over forty carcass to do something outrageously hard every once-in-awhile, so I said yes. I tried to train some, but for reasons I won't go into I was not as prepared as I should have been when I walked through the downtown predawn toward the starting line this morning.

There was a record turnout this year and I began the run through the skyscrapers of Seattle in a pulsing mass of people dressed in micro-fiber and expensive shoes. Surprisingly running across downtown wasn't that hard and the first three or so miles felt pretty good. There

really is something about the energy of a crowd all heading for one goal that enables you to perform at your best.

I won't give you the blow-by-blow but suffice it to say that easy-peasy feeling soon gave way to fatigue, numbness, and eventually downright pain before I crossed the finish line. But along the way I learned some lessons and that's what this post is about.

All along the route I was thinking about all the proverbs and metaphors I've heard through my life about how life is a journey and the hardest, longest journeys all begin and end with one step - all you have to do is keep stepping between the beginning and end.

You know it really did get hard out there. I've never run a half marathon before and sometimes when I passed a mile marker I was a little discouraged to see that I hadn't made more progress. Failure was always an option for some. There were vans and medical tents to take care of those who felt they just couldn't go on and I could have just decided it was too hard, cited several reasonable excuses and stopped stepping - but I didn't. Instead I finished and in finishing I learned something that applies to life.

I wasn't first by a long shot. In fact I was pretty slow by comparison to several hundred other runners including Meg who, at 2:20:00, finished about an hour ahead of me.

That didn't matter. As long as I was willing to keep taking steps I was in the race and had a good chance of reaching my goal. In some ways I was my own umpire. Nobody was going to call me out if I didn't do it to myself. It was hard. It took a long time. But I kept stepping and I have my goal. My medal says so - "Seattle Marathon 2007 Finisher"

I think as soon as I heal from the waist down it's time to begin training for next year. This finishing thing's addictive.

Cheers,

Dave

Roadrunner!

Marathon Man

Here I am getting some new wheels for the Seattle Marathon this Sunday. I let myself get talked into doing the half marathon and I'm determined to finish even if it finishes me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm in the best shape of my life, I'm just not a runner -  not my sport. It is a great excuse to go shopping for some much-needed workout clothes though. Anyway we'll just have to wait and see how the race goes Sunday. I'm laying out my iPod playlist for maximum motivational impact and I'll give all I've got.

Later,

Dave

Gratitude Part Deux

Where's The Turkey!?

I just want to salute the women in my life who made the day special.

Thanks Meg and Rhonda.

Peace,

Dave

Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Here in America this is the one day everyone officially takes time out to spend with close family and friends - usually over a huge feast - and show appreciation for the most important relationships in our lives. I used to think it odd that Thanksgiving and Christmas were shoved so close together at the end of the calendar, but this year it occurred to me that it actually might be a good thing.

             

If we think about it, the Thanksgiving holiday is really about gratitude. It's about taking time to think about the people, events, and things in our lives that we're grateful for. (Like my little orange furry mascot, Tigger.)  I find it absolutely appropriate that this day of reflection comes near that end of the year and just before a time of great giving to others.

If we strip away the feast from Thanksgiving and the mass consumerism from Christmas, what we are left with is the ideas and emotions that made people want to mark these days as special in the first place.

So maybe sometime today take just a few minutes and reflect on this year of 2007. Think about all the people, events, and things you have to be grateful and hold a prayer of thanks in your heart. Let that feeling of gratitude carry over into a lifestyle of giving that lasts for more than a season and cannot help but come back to you many times over.

Love and Turkey To All,

Dave

Leaving The Day Job

Well the day has finally come! This is my final day working full-time for the fruit-named tech. outfit I've been with. It's time to step out and pursue this music vision full on.

I'm pretty excited - and afraid - but there's a book title I keep hearing in my mind: Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway. I've only heard about the book but the title is very reassuring to me right now.

I got a little playing in before heading off to the job which also helps remind me why I'm taking the risks I'm taking at this point in my life.

Later,

Dave

Dave Hoskins' Lyre Notes Up Now On Blogger!

Hi Everyone,

This is just my first post on Blogger. I'm trying to get better at blogging and make it an excellent way to keep folks updated on my music. If you get a chance please check out my main website. All right, time to go and make some tweeks to this thing.

Cheers,

Dave Hoskins

dave@sixbentstrings.com