Vocalist, know thyself
No matter what your talent, your goals or your current situation, your chances for success now and in the future are far better with strong self-awareness and honest personal assessments of your strengths and weaknesses. There is no quick fix, as the achievement of these personal assets must be the result of an ongoing curiosity about your own brain and personality. However, here are a few great online resources that may prove valuable on your quest:
For a quick assessment of your Meyers-Briggs profile, try WorldPersonality.com. Another testing, using a different set of models but yielding equally interesting results, is available at OneIshy.com. This site also offers lists of potential strengths and weaknesses for the various personality types indicated. Now that you have a sense of your strengths and weaknesses, this article discusses how to put that understanding to good use. There are also plenty of books and programs that can help you get acquainted with yourself in the Psychology and Creative Development sections of our new Amazon store. You can go even deeper into your own performing self with Don Greene's Performance Skills Inventory (PSI). This test is specifically designed for classical musicians, and a sample inventory is available on his website at no charge. For about $30, you'll get an in-depth and detailed assessment of your strengths and weaknesses in seven areas of competency, then you'll receive customized plans for taking action, and unlimited opportunities to take the online assessment again, so you can gauge your progress. These are, of course, just a few of the tests and resources available, but they'll get you started. Whether you've never attempted this sort of self-exploration or you're looking for a new way to look at what's holding you back, any one of these will provide a starting point. This article is provided as a service to our readers. Although we do receive a small commission for sales through our Amazon store, there is no such arrangement with the other sites. These are not paid advertisements, nor have we received any items or compensation for their inclusion.
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To view the vocal events column in the latest edition of Jim Eninger's essential "Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter" , click here. |