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DINAH from FIND YOUR GLEE WITH DINAH G

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My dream is to impact listeners to live their best lives!

1. People keep me inspired. 
2. People who give me permission to be fearless, take action, and 
3. People who remind me that I'm not alone

Dawn Kincade, Photographer & Blogger

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1. Freedom inspires me. Freedom to move in my creativity however I feel led to move
2. Creation, being out in nature, and being amongst the birds and trees and flowers and stars and moon
3. My two sons, Evan & Alex

ED SWEET - PHOENIX, AZ

INSPIRATION/WHAT KEEPS ME GOING

My name is Edward Sweet. I’m a singer/songwriter and the frontman of a Phoenix-based indie pop/rock band called Electric Sol, spelled S-O-L. Follow electricsolmusic on Instagram and stream our music on Spotify, Apple Music, etc. You can also check out our website at electricsolmusic.com.

The biggest thing that keeps me going is constantly reminding myself that music was my first love. I started singing in front of people when I was four years old, including the Star Spangled Banner at Park District events in Chicago, where I grew up. When I was in second grade I was supposed to do a solo in a school performance, but I got the chicken pox and couldn’t do it. I think that’s what started putting fear in me about performing, and shortly after that I gave it up. But now that love is back and I remind myself every day that it is my true calling. For me, that’s the most powerful motivator.

But there are lots of other things that keep me going, in no particular order:

1. Practice Consistently

Our band tries to rehearse at least every two weeks, and we rehearse every week if we’re gearing up for a show. On my own, I try to put in a half hour at the keyboard every day to work on my skills, especially hand independence.

2. Set Regular Goals

We always try to have a show to look forward to, so we can practice more and have something to work toward. 

3. Create Community

I love every member of my band, and it’s a true joy to spend time together. We try to make dinner part of every rehearsal, and we’ll often get together just to hang out. We support each other in other ways, too, which ties us closer together. One guy works at a deli and we often have lunch there when he’s working. He also does advertising writing for me when I’m overloaded. Another band member is my daughter’s guitar teacher. And another works with me on my keyboard playing. We support each other inside and outside the confines of the band, which makes the band just another part of daily life. That makes it more real for me in some way.

4. Challenge Yourself to Get Better

I’ve decided that I really want to get good at this, and that is really motivating. When I was younger I was outcome based for the wrong reasons. Now I’m more process oriented, and if I can do something every day to get a little better, then it’s a good day. The payoff is motivating, too. After shows, people have been telling me that I keep getting better as a singer, and that kind of feedback makes me want to keep working hard. I’m fortunate that I don’t need to make money doing this at the moment, but I don’t consider this a hobby and I would like to make it my biggest revenue source one day.

5. Observe and Consume

Working on producing some new songs and practicing for shows recently has made me feel that I’ve been neglecting my songwriting. So I’ve started reading a lot more books, and I’m trying to take some extra time to observe my surroundings on a more regular basis. Just that little bit of intention has given me a spark to keep the songwriting process top of mind.

I didn’t realize that there’d be so many things to juggle as a do-it-yourself musician. It used to panic me a little bit, but I’ve gotten over that. By reminding myself that this is what I was instinctively drawn to as a little kid, and by doing the other five things as often as possible, I feel like I have no shortage of inspiration.

ALEX FROM GERMANY

Hello Lisa,

I thought about Inspiration a lot these days, cause I'm feeling so inspired at the moment. Why and where does it come from? First I have to say the last 4-5 years I wasn't working on anyone of my dreams.  

After having major family issues, I started getting really sick. I had terrible jaw pain, felt nauseas every day. I visited different doctors, some suggested surgery but didn't know if it would be effective...It was a terrible time but I feel a lot better nowadays. I'm feeling my energy is coming back and I can look now, from a different position, what I want to do, what I need to do with my life.

- A big inspiration is indeed to get surrounded by people who also trying to pursue their dreams, people who feel that life is not just existing. Listen to podcasts ( yes to yours!!!!! I love it sooo much) or watching documentaries ("Why are we creative"). I think artists are always interested in these questions.

- I love authentic artists! Authenticity inspires me so much!   

For an example, I saw on YouTube a Studio Version of an song of the band SPARKS and I was really moved, the 2 Mael-Brothers, more than 50 years in the music-business, still so genius in the song-writing and the singer with his own way to sing. Not caring about the mainstream and full of passion to make music.Such an inspiration for me!!

- I need to get in contact to my body to stay inspired! Just because I was sick and couldn't do any sports. Now I'm doing Yoga again and it helps so much to get connected to my body and to my soul. I need to move my body, if it is dancing, Pilates or Yoga. I need to listen to my body. I think our body is our friend!  

- And as you said, Nature always helps, I love forests and I love looking at the sky. Animals keep me grounded <3

Feel free to use this for your podcast, if it is interesting for you.

Love you Lisa  

<3 Alex

"Why Are We Creative?" Documentary

https://kumu.ekm.ee/en/syndmus/kumu-documentary-why-are-we-creative/