It started as a simple concept, originally offered up by a magician friend: when you’re doing a gig that’s more inconvenient than usual, one you wouldn’t normally accept — possibly as a favor to a friend — or one you’re just hating as you go through it, he advised that we must always take a piece of that paycheck and do something fun with it. It’s a radical act of joy, a way of finding the good in every experience as a performer, and he was very, very serious about it when we spoke some 22 years ago. We all have to take gigs we’re not happy about, but that reality cannot be allowed to rob us of our enthusiasm for what we do.
This applies just as much to singers as it did to other performers, regardless of genre or work situation. Whether you’re freelancing, teaching, or one of the lucky few with something like steady performing income, I strongly suggest adopting some version of the following as personal policy:
If you’re doing something you hate, reserve a little “spark fuel” from that paycheck, setting aside some small amount (even 1-2%) that won’t upend your finances, but will make a real difference to your mood and keep you connected to the work in a way that leaves you wanting to go on. Think of it as an investment in your own drive, a reward for getting through whatever you just survived, and fuel enough to get you to the next gig with your enthusiasm intact.
It doesn’t need to be a new car or a fancy vacation — it could be a cake pop, a trip to the botanical garden, a couple of hours off with a good audiobook. It should be something you don’t do all the time, but that you truly enjoy and that resets your brain, connecting you with your most authentic, joyful self. The activity doesn’t even need to cost anything, as long as it marks the occasion and puts one more hurdle firmly behind you.
Don’t save this only for the gigs you hated; celebrate the wins the same way, because the cumulative effect of these small moments adds up to something real. You’re celebrating your growth, your own survival skills, and everything you’ve learned along the way. It will leave you stronger and far more ready for whatever’s next.