Photo by Martin Fisch via Flickr / CC BY 2.0
Long-winded, controversial Facebook debates. Sub-tweeting. There is an endless amount of social media noise that can hinder your artistic growth. All the gossip and arguments clogging up your timelines can either entertain or cause frustration, depending on the nature of the conversation. Getting swept away in unfulfilling arguments not only sucks up your time, but it usually is detrimental to your end goals. Ultimately, the key to staying focused on what matters to you is tunnel vision – and with the right mentality, you can avoid the typical music industry nonsense that will only bring you down.
If you find yourself getting involved in public discussions around shady promoters, arrogant artists, and the daily happenings of "mainstream" music, it’s likely that you need a lesson in tunnel vision. The politics of the music industry (at all levels) have been around for decades and, sadly, they will never go away. There are many traps and many things that seem real, but are merely a mirage.
Every day brings a new popularity contest about the artists with the most retweets and the ones benefiting from coverage on high-traffic blogs. But don’t worry about the accomplishments or recognition that someone else is receiving if it has no direct impact on what you’re working to achieve. Industry relationships have the ability to jumpstart someone’s rise, but hard work and dedication to the craft of your music will always be of the utmost importance.
With this in mind, it's best to maintain a good-natured public image and avoid any type of negativity at all costs. Don’t feel like you can’t share honest opinions, but always understand that what you say online can be held against you and brought back years later when you least expect it. This same attitude should be implemented during studio sessions and at live shows, because any kid of physical confrontation will only lead to harmful results.
[The Indie Artist's Guide to Talking Politics on Social Media]
The best way to avoid these dangers is to never put yourself in that position in the first place. Be conscious of the events you go to, who will be there, and the venue location. A career as a musician will inevitably lead you to some suspect spots, but simply being aware and conscious of your surroundings should be enough to help you exert good judgment.
Life throws different types of distractions at you all the time. From dealing with toxic, unsavory people to unnecessary disputes, there will be times where you’ll have to restrain yourself from commenting on matters that aren’t your business. This is why tunnel vision is essential to maintaining focus on the big picture: perfecting your art and building a group of supporters who truly believe in your long-term potential.
Some of the most talented artists have faded into the distance due to burning bridges with the wrong people. Don’t let that happen to you! Speak on issues that are directly related to who you are as both a person and an artist, but bite your tongue when it's wise to do so. Once you implement the tunnel vision approach into your daily routine, you’ll find it much easier to only concentrate on high-priority tasks, and the benefits will show themselves over time.
How do you stay focused on what's important and tune out all the bullsh*t? Let us know in the comments!
Eric Bernsen is a marketing/public relations professional and music journalist who specializes in the genre of hip-hop. You can find more of his work at HITPmusic.com (where he is an editor/writer) as well as HipHop-N-More.com, where he contributes album reviews. Follow Eric on Twitter @ebernsen.
