The Audience Effect

When you are an actor on stage, or a musician performing a show, you know something the audience does not.  You know how it's "supposed to go".  If you flub a line, it's internal tragedy!  Miss a cue?  The song is a cacophony.

Except, it's not.  It's ok.  The audience doesn't know right from wrong, only good from bad.  Sometimes, we are victims of the audience effect.  Sometimes we believe in something or someone only to discover we've been deceived.  Duped.  Bamboozled.

If you mess up, your audience might not know.  Don't crumble in humiliation, instead "roll with the punches".  Improvise.  You may have butchered the line or missed the cue but you also might be the only one who knows.  The script isn't what is written, it's what's said.

Unless you run off stage, the show is exactly as planned.  Convince them they are seeing an Oscar-worthy performance and they see greatness.  You write the script.  You know the secret.  The audience doesn't know.

Persistence Is Key

"Every journey begins with a single step".  Persistence is key.  Step by step.  One foot in front of the other.

The Grand Canyon was carved from the Colorado River, over millions of years.  One stream at a time.  The pyramids were built block by block.  The secret to winning is not always defeating the opponent, but not giving up.  When you arm-wrestle, the battle is initially even, then after a few seconds, someone caves.  The game is over.

If you want to build something as remarkable as the Grand Canyon, it wont happen in an instant.  You need persistence.  Stone by stone, chip by chip, step by step.

The key to greatness is persistence.  Stick with it.  Don't be the first to give up.  Time is often portrayed as the enemy, but time should be your friend.  You don't need to build the pyramids over night!  You just need to move one block.  Over time, you will have a pyramid.  The key is persistence.