Having received my BA in Music Business from the University of South Alabama back in 2010, I began a career in arts administration working for the Mobile Arts Council.
Yup, I’m fresh off the boat with big plans and a sense of urgency to accomplish giant things. I seek to move the world tomorrow. Okay, fine, in the next two minutes.
Yet as I try to move the world here comes (insert Jaws theme song) a pile of real world inconveniences: paperwork, phone calls, and technological dilemmas. All the while, in the back of my already overloaded mind, I complain, why do they have to happen, do they really matter?
The answer: ABSOLUTELY! These annoyances are just the world’s little positive thinking exercises.
Okay, I have to be honest; this one is a work in progress for me because I’m a natural “Negative Nancy.” However, when asked how am I going to engage my colleagues to make an impact for the sake of the arts, I’m learning “Nancy” is not my girl and a positive outlook will help sustain the future of the arts.
The key about positive people is that they are infectious. When I meet a glowing sunny side up, cup half full person—I want to support them. Somehow their glowing outlook on hurdles eminent from them and ignites passion in people. And, passion is how to engage yourself and others to support a cause.
Yet, as I sit here wondering if it is really that simple, I am reminded of the wisest acronym I was ever taught while in college: K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple, Stupid.
Yes, working for a cause takes A LOT of hard work—even some extra hours at the office. But anything worth anything requires some sweat. From paper jams to budget cuts, these frustrations are going to keep on getting in the way. But in order to better secure a future for the arts, we have to be positive and forward thinking, even when the copier jams for the fifth time that day.
The copier, telephone, and computer crashes are preparing us to stay positive during the big dilemmas, such as, arts programs being cut because funding is scarce. When we stay positive we ignite the passion for the arts in our communities and grow an entourage for our cause, thereby securing its future.
