Ep. 79: Stop Using Every Concert as a Career Move

Have you ever shown up to a voice lesson and, when your coach asks what you’d like to work on, your mind goes blank? Or maybe you’re pushing toward big artistic goals, but you just feel… flat.

If you’re in a creative funk, you’re not alone—and I have a theory why.

The Trap of Transactional Art

As singers, we live and breathe music. But somewhere along the way, many of us stop experiencing art without an agenda. Maybe you’ve been to concerts, theater productions, or even a coffeehouse performance lately—but instead of soaking it in, your brain was running a different track:

• “Could I sing like that?”

• “Who do I need to talk to here?”

• “Could this gig help my career?”
  

Networking isn’t bad—it’s SO smart, and savvy. But when every creative moment becomes a career move, you’re starving your artistic soul. Art stops being beautiful and starts feeling like work - ALL the time. No wonder you’re uninspired.

Julia Cameron’s “Artist Date” Concept

In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron suggests a weekly “artist date”: intentionally spending time with art or beauty simply for pleasure. She describes it as “taking your inner eight-year-old out to play.”

Your artist date doesn’t have to involve music—or even cost money. It could be:

• Browsing a farmers market and soaking up the colors and smells

• Visiting a local gallery or indie film screening

• Trying a new restaurant or coffee shop

• Taking a scenic walk in a different part of town

  
  

The only rule: no agenda. You’re not there to network, compare, or plan. You’re there to let your senses wake up.

The Cost of Skipping Play

I’ve been guilty of this myself. When I was producing my cabaret, my calendar was full of rehearsals, bookings, and collaboration meetings. Without realizing it, every interaction with art had become about strategy. I wasn't even listening to music for pleasure anymore...only for show prep or the song's my clients were working on.

The result? My creative well ran dry. My comparison hamster wheel was also churnin' (Am I doing enough? Oh, I should post this or sing that...). When I finally let myself just be an audience member again—sitting at a show, fully present, not evaluating or comparing—I felt my shoulders drop and my mind start to spark.

Consuming art without expectation isn’t indulgent—it’s essential. It reminds you why you love your craft in the first place.

Try This: Your Next Artist Date

This week, schedule one simple, agenda-free artist date. Some ideas:

• Pick up dessert at a fancy grocery store or bakery you love and savor it slowly (my FAVORITE place for an artist date is The Fresh Market...tune in to understand why).

• Go hear a local musician, sit back, and let yourself be moved.

• Visit a bookstore or library and browse a section you’d never normally explore.

• Take yourself to lunch without your phone—just notice the sounds, flavors, and people around you.
  

While you’re there, tune in to your senses. What colors catch your eye? What sounds or textures stand out? How does it make you feel? You don’t need to write anything down in the moment—just notice. Later, you might find inspiration bubbling up in unexpected ways.

A Note About Comparison

If you find yourself comparing your skills to someone else’s during your artist date, pause and get curious. Instead of spiraling into “I’m not good enough,” ask:

• What about their artistry is moving me?

• What can I learn from this feeling?

• What small step can I take to grow without judgment?
  

Comparison can be a teacher if it leads us to action instead of shame.

Reclaim Your Joy as a Performer

You are not your voice—you are a whole, layered human being who happens to communicate through music. Consuming art without strings attached helps you reconnect with your authenticity, fill your creative well, and perform from a place of joy.

So, where will you take yourself on your next artist date? Drop your ideas in the comments—I’d love to hear them and maybe even try a few myself.

And if you’re ready to go deeper in reigniting your artistry and finding balance as a performer, check out the Passionate Performer Program (CLICK HERE). Let’s make singing inspiring again—together.