There was an email that came in one week ago today (maybe about the time I was putting together the Most Read Blogs of 2023) that talked about sharing audio. The point that was being made was that you’re likely not in a position to share something while you’re listening to it. Right? If you’re driving and hear a song (or a podcast) you like, you’re not going to pull over just so you can send it to whoever it made you think about. BUT, by the time you reach your destination, you’re going to have forgotten to do it.
That’s a good snapshot of why you have to seize the moment.
If you listen long enough, after talking to enough people you’ll hear (in multiple conversations) someone talking about ‘being present.’ A lot of motivational speakers use that expression as do, I’m sure, psychologists, life coaches, therapists, and counselors.
In a day and age where multi-tasking is very much the norm, you need to act when you have an impulse. Well, wait, let me put all kinds of disclaimers on that. Appropriate impulses/environments, professional settings, nothing harmful. You get it.
Yes, on a personal level, with all the mental health struggles that are unfortunately too prevalent nowadays, it’s always a good idea to call somebody if/when you’re thinking of them.
But on a professional level, if you get a song idea – despite the approach that Bjork takes, as Nyan Feder said just under two weeks ago on my weekly “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast – you’re going to write it down or sing it into your phone. Stay in that moment. You don’t want to get in the writing room and suddenly draw a blank. “Gosh, I’m sorry, I had a great idea last week for a song that I figured we’d try to write today, but now I can’t remember what it was.” Umm, sure you did.
I revealed in a blog a little ways back that I had actually written it one week earlier – the same day I’d just finished that Monday’s blog. I believe I’ve even recommended in a previous post (and this is something I always encourage clients to do) that – when it’s being made – you should take someone up on an offer or at least lay the groundwork to do so. I’ll give you an example.
Two months ago I was at a songwriters festival. As one of the participants of the event came off stage, I introduced him (since I see him at it every year) to a client of mine. When he invited her to play at a regular event he does, I made sure to get his phone number on the spot. We’re Facebook friends, but I didn’t want to only have that route or leave anything to chance.
Similarly, at that same festival, I got reacquainted with someone who I hadn’t seen in quite a while. He told me to get in touch with him once we both returned home from the event. I immediately pulled out my phone and asked him, “Is (read off digits) still your number?” And he said, “No, I have a new one.” And gave me his number.
You strike while the iron is hot.
If you’re at a conference and the presenter is making you an offer and you notice yourself getting tremendously interested, act on it then and there. For example, I have told audiences of limited-time discounts on my Interview Tips Course. (Usually, the reduced price is good for the rest of the conference or the rest of the week.) Too many times there is what might be called conference overwhelm, and you collapse into the chair or on the bed in your hotel room, and in the back of your head you vow to go over everything when you get back home from the event. And then life takes over and you don’t follow up. If you actually remember about that one offer you were interested in, Murphy’s Law takes over and you can’t find the information or you do but it has expired and now it’s full price.
At the beginning I used expressions like “seize the moment” or “be present.” Another applicable cliché is coulda, shoulda, woulda.
Don’t miss out on opportunities because you didn’t act right at the time when it was at its peak.
In fact, now that you’re done reading this blog, pick up your phone and call me. Ask me about podcasting or about the work I do as a publicist and/or the challenges you’re facing. For 20 years now I have been helping indie music artists, authors, entrepreneurs, actors and filmmakers, small business owners, and podcasters from around the U.S. Draw upon all my experience so as to benefit whatever it is that you are doing. I’ll look forward to chatting with you.