Improving is a DIY Job
Opportunities to grow and learn are all around us. Our activity is full of very smart and talented people, many of whom share their expertise to help others do better. We are grateful that so many of them agreed to talk with us at Marching Arts Education and share ideas to help others improve. I suggest that you put a topic or name in the search bar and you’ll be amazed at all the information that appears!
However, like the proverbial horse led to water, no one can make you drink. Improving is a DO IT YOURSELF job! Great information is available, but you have to decide to take time to consume it.
Your most valuable resources are your time and attention, and each moment of each day you are deciding how to use those resources. Do you need to relax and watch a movie, scroll through social media, or might you choose to watch a webinar and learn something to help your group improve? All are legitimate answers at any moment, but I encourage you to set aside time for self-improvement and growth. Consider scheduling one hour each week to take time for knowledge and learning in your chosen field. The information is out there, you just have to take the time.
My entire life I have been a gym / workout guy, and after 40 plus years in the gym I can tell you without a single doubt that people who decide to improve their health and get in shape have to make that decision for themselves. We can encourage them, shame them, share concern, show statistics, and even drag them into the gym, but they will change their eating habits and set aside time to workout only when they decide it for themselves. I always enjoy hearing the stories of “that moment” when something happened which motivated the change. It can be an embarrassment, an inspiring encounter, or a life-changing moment. But I’m always happy to see someone embrace the change and start to do the work.
We should all have empathy and compassion for those around us, and we can’t possibly know what is going on in someone’s life or in their mind. But we should also be ready to encourage and assist when THEY are ready to move forward. Our resources at Marching Arts Education are here when anyone decides they are ready to improve their own knowledge and help their members go to the next level. Our goal is to help and assist however possible.
I hope that you will consider turning a corner in your work in the marching arts and decide to start a DIY project on yourself. Your group can only do better if you bring more to them. A few good ideas can change your entire program! We are here to help.
If you have a topic or person you want to hear about, please contact us and let us know. We are here when you’re ready!
Tim Hinton
April 3, 2022
