I couldn’t have done it alone

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been sharing some of the biggest lessons I brought home from my Broadway BootCamp experience.

The first lesson was about having the courage to do something I’d never done before.

The second was about learning to receive a compliment instead of brushing it aside.

This week, I want to share something that I didn’t fully appreciate until I stepped onto that stage.

The truth is…

I wasn’t standing there alone.

Now, yes, there was only one person singing.

But sitting just a few feet away was an incredible pianist.

I’d never sung with a live pianist before.

Whenever I’d practiced, I’d always used a backing track. The music was fixed. It never changed. If I got ahead, it kept going. If I fell behind, it kept going.

A backing track doesn’t care where you are.

A great accompanist does.

What amazed me was watching this pianist work with every single performer throughout the week.

If someone sped up, he adjusted.

If someone slowed down, he followed.

If someone needed an extra beat to gather themselves, he was already there.

His job wasn’t to make the performer fit perfectly into the music.

His job was to help the performer succeed.

Standing there, I realized how much confidence that gave me.

Out of everything I was nervous about that day, I never had to worry about the music.

I knew someone had my back.

And the more I’ve thought about it since coming home, the more I’ve realized that’s true in every part of life.

None of us accomplish anything worthwhile completely on our own.

Behind every great leader…

There’s someone offering support.

Behind every successful business…

There’s a team making things happen.

Behind every person willing to step into something new…

There’s often someone quietly giving them the confidence to keep going.

Sometimes they’re a mentor.

Sometimes they’re a spouse.

Sometimes they’re a teammate.

Sometimes they’re simply someone who believes in you before you believe in yourself.

We tend to celebrate the person in the spotlight.

But I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for the people who make the spotlight possible.

So this week, here’s my challenge for you.

Think about the people who’ve been your accompanists.

The ones who quietly encouraged you…

Supported you…

Adjusted when life got messy…

And helped you become the person you are today.

If someone comes to mind, reach out and thank them.

I have a feeling it’ll mean more than you realize.

Until next week.

Proactive, Productive, and Profitable,
Dino