hard working momentum
I sit here trying to think of a more descriptive title for this post. The hard part. Tough stuff. I can't really come up with one.
The recording project is coming along quite well. We've had a total of 3 rehearsals now. You know, just getting everybody together on one night is hard to do. The amount of schedules that have to be rearranged alone makes it tough, and add to that that I think we all miss our bedtimes in order to be a part of this thing:)
I posted a couple of weeks ago about how electric and exciting rehearsal is with a great band, and that is every bit as true today as it was then. But you know, it's also hard work. Excitement and electricity don't carry you through to the finish line, do they. There is a time when hard work is called for, and if you are going to keep up your momentum, there is a lot of study, and sweat, and practice that will go into that.
I'm playing my guitar more these days than I ever have. I think you go through periods of time of rediscovery and then periods of time where you plateau a bit. I would have to call this period a time of rediscovery and new growth. The difference is, I find myself pulling out the guitar a bit even when I don't really feel like it. Now there's a concept, isn't it? Actually practicing when you don't want to. Imagine that.
I'm hoping that everybody else involved is doing the same kind of things I am. I know that there are times in rehearsal when I say, "let's do it again." and they have to be thinking, "Not one more time through the same song! We've been playing it for an hour!" I know they have to be thinking that because sometimes I am thinking that. Oh man, here we go again.
But oh, every time we play it gets a little tighter, the notes get a little clearer, the rests get a little more pronounced, the dynamics make a little more sense. Everybody listens to each other a little bit more, and we play together a little bit more like a unit.
I don't think you have to look real hard to see the parallels here. There have to be times when we are tired and up past our bedtimes, and don't want to do the one thing that still has to be done. There have to be times when we don't feel like studying, don't feel like reading, don't feel like spending time with the people that we love the most. There are times when we just want to veg out on the couch and get lost in something mind-numbing. But oh man, every time we do the hard stuff we get a little stronger, a little more faithful, and dare I say - a little more Christ-like?
The recording project is coming along quite well. We've had a total of 3 rehearsals now. You know, just getting everybody together on one night is hard to do. The amount of schedules that have to be rearranged alone makes it tough, and add to that that I think we all miss our bedtimes in order to be a part of this thing:)
I posted a couple of weeks ago about how electric and exciting rehearsal is with a great band, and that is every bit as true today as it was then. But you know, it's also hard work. Excitement and electricity don't carry you through to the finish line, do they. There is a time when hard work is called for, and if you are going to keep up your momentum, there is a lot of study, and sweat, and practice that will go into that.
I'm playing my guitar more these days than I ever have. I think you go through periods of time of rediscovery and then periods of time where you plateau a bit. I would have to call this period a time of rediscovery and new growth. The difference is, I find myself pulling out the guitar a bit even when I don't really feel like it. Now there's a concept, isn't it? Actually practicing when you don't want to. Imagine that.
I'm hoping that everybody else involved is doing the same kind of things I am. I know that there are times in rehearsal when I say, "let's do it again." and they have to be thinking, "Not one more time through the same song! We've been playing it for an hour!" I know they have to be thinking that because sometimes I am thinking that. Oh man, here we go again.
But oh, every time we play it gets a little tighter, the notes get a little clearer, the rests get a little more pronounced, the dynamics make a little more sense. Everybody listens to each other a little bit more, and we play together a little bit more like a unit.
I don't think you have to look real hard to see the parallels here. There have to be times when we are tired and up past our bedtimes, and don't want to do the one thing that still has to be done. There have to be times when we don't feel like studying, don't feel like reading, don't feel like spending time with the people that we love the most. There are times when we just want to veg out on the couch and get lost in something mind-numbing. But oh man, every time we do the hard stuff we get a little stronger, a little more faithful, and dare I say - a little more Christ-like?
posted by Jeff at 12:27 PM
1 Comments:
The Stages of Group Development and The Ten Shekel Shirt Conspiracy.
My, my, my.....someone was up late.
First, here's an update on the shekel question. (For those unfortunate few who are reading this and who might believe that rehearsals are just a bunch of musicians having fun, consider this proof that some very serious scholarly stuff goes on.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shekel
Next, an apology. From time to time I feel the need to write things that remind me that I used to know some pretty cool (and I think useful) stuff. I tend to spring these thoughts on unsuspecting, innocent victims such as yourself. This is especially unfair since you went to all the effort to post your comments and probably would have been happy to simply have them read. No such luck. Sorry.
Okay....to the matter at hand. First, my assumptions: (Please don't bother dividing the word for me....I know the bit.)
1. Everybody involved in this project is committed to doing the best they can do. I think there is more than ample evidence to support this assumption. This is an amazing group.
2. Purpose, vision and all the rest of the more cosmic stuff aside, this is a group.
3. As a group of people attempting to achieve a common goal, we will go through a process (there's that word again) of development. If we were a group of emu we would simply follow the leader because...well...thats what an emu does. People don't tend to do that. Even when they appear to be doing that "emu thing" they generally aren't.
Fortunately, some very smart people (present company excluded) have outlined the development process we will go through. Here it is:
Forming - pretty much what it sounds like. The important thing to remember is that almost all of the behavior during this stage is intended to create a safe, ordered and stable environment. Controversy is avoided. While people are forming perspectives and opinions, they will tend to keep them to themselves or share them only with folks with whom they have an established relationship.
Storming - Again, as they say in the UK, pretty much what it says on the tin. Once the safety issues have been addressed, people feel comfortable to express feelings, opinions, etc. that might be seen as
controversial. People attempt to further clarify their roles. There may be competition for influence or even leadership. The "what's in it for me?" question seems to move to the forefront. Far from being negative, this can be a very beneficial stage. This is the point where relationships between members become more solid, open and productive. Of course there are different types of storms. Hurricanes and tornadoes are destructive. A scattered thundershower may be disruptive but you don't feel the need to name it or take immediate shelter.
Norming - This is the point where the group has essentially defined itself. The issues that are addressed in the forming and storming stages are behind them and the real work can begin. This is the most creative stage. However, there is a danger here. Groups can become so pleased with themselves for reaching this stage that they are content to stay at this stage. Groups can develop norms that make them change averse. Almost every project or task will require deviation from the plan.
Performing - This one is a bit more complicated. In order for groups to perform effectively, members have to have the ability to work independently, in subgroups or as a whole unit. The "working independently part is fairly straightforward. You addressed it in your post with the "study,and sweat and practice" lamentation. Howver,the group can't become interdependent (and its most effective) without members who are capable of independence. The interdependent (subgroups, whole group) part is fairly sophisticated stuff. Some groups never make it this far. Interdependence is scary stuff. It requires high levels of trust and confidence. Those are not easy commodities to come by.
All groups go through all or some of these stages to one degree or another. The group may visit the stages multiple times if there are changes to the task or membership changes. Some groups don't make it through the storming stage. Some don't choose to leave the norming phase. Some jump from forming to performing.
"So," you might ask, "why are you writing this?" Because it might help you through any rough spots that may pop up during this process. It might help if you know that what is happening is normal and most likely healthy. It might help you to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't a train. (It might even help you to expand on the parallels you mentioned - not that you need the help.)
Then again, this is such a worthy (and very cool) project that you (we) won't even notice this process. We'll just continue to suffer through sleep deprivation, sore muscles and the other ravages of rapidly advancing old age (wait....that's me) and have a great time playing with great people making your exceptional music come alive.
One question....do you think Ten Shekel Shirt left out the "and a" because the name was too long or is there something more sinister at work here? I wonder.
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