Pass Your Own Audition

Pass Your Own Audition A 100-day self-care and self-esteem workbook for Singers Re-claim your own right to sing daily, to be happy each day, and, to wiggle (move your body) freely every day – on stage and off. By Singer / Songwriter / Vocal Coach: Natali Freed (copyright 2015 Natali Freed) – www.talifreed.com

This Book’s Purpose and Objective: This book is geared towards Singers, with a focus on professional music goals, self-care, and (positive) body image. Body image (feeling positive about the way you look and feeling deserving enough to enjoy your own body on stage and off,) is possibly a typical and under-addressed phenomenon that may perplex anyone walking themselves into musical spotlights and stages. Plus, the act of singing freely and healthfully requires some physical relaxation (and appreciation of one’s body) in order to physically sing, so, hence… this book. If you have another passion (say playing a musical instrument, or a non-musical passion), you can use this workbook as a template for focusing yourself onto that passion, or, you can use this as a general happiness / self-care workbook template (see chapter 1 for prompts about passion!) Used as written, this workbook is intended to burst through (performance/vocal/musical) insecurities and move forward towards (performance/vocal/musical) goals, while acknowledging progress and noting insights. Each of the (100) daily workbook pages in this workbook is laid out the same: a simple, 3-part format of daily reflection, (which the Author has crafted): 1) list actions that you took today which helped you (it will look like a to-do list written in reverse: only the actions which you took today will be on the list – already done), 2) create affirmations that feel good to you, and 3) ask and answer a reflective question(s). The 100 workbook days are arranged into 10 chapters of 10 workbook pages (to be filled in by the Reader) plus 10 corresponding days worth of “Author’s notes” (at the back of each chapter). The Reader is welcome to refer to the “Author’s notes” for examples of daily actions taken, affirmations, and answers to the workbook’s reflective questions. Or, the Reader may skip the Author’s notes – or simply read them with the idea in mind that they are simply: 1 singer’s (3-part, daily) reflection - gaining in positivity, self-esteem, self-care, happiness, and positive body image – a 100-day snapshot of a life-long journey of honoring and pursuing the passion and craft of singing. Enjoy!

Sample of the book… A workbook page day & corresponding “Author’s Notes” example:

Day # 45: ________ What’s on my schedule today?__________________ (Then, reflect, at night): Actions I took today which helped me - helped my: health, sanity, voice, relationships, sense of self, community, music biz, etc. 1.___________________________ 2.___________________________ 3.____________________________ 4.___________________________ 5.___________________________ 6.___________________________ 7.____________________________ 8.____________________________ 9.____________________________ 10. ___________________________ 11. ____________________________ 12.____________________________ 13.____________________________ 14.____________________________ 15.____________________________

Affirmations for / from my day: (can be said even just once during the day!) 1. ________________________________ 2. _______________________________

Any insights (from singing or otherwise) today? 1. _________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________

Possible Question, for Day # 45: What did I do today to let myself know that I matter?

Day 45 It’s a day after a holiday… I’m waking up kind of grumpy and going on a trip! Actions (Actions taken today): 1. Meditate 10 min – even in bed 2. Free-write 3. Eat breakfast – eat healthy even if it includes leftovers from the holiday 4. If going on a trip: pack for trip - pack some food you need for the trip you’re going on especially if you’re not feeling like traveling out of your comfort zone 5. Print out lyrics for songs you need for upcoming gigs 6. Celebrate something somehow (hung out with family – it was very relaxing – drinking tea by the fireplace and having a relaxing dinner.) 7. Ask for what you need (This is becoming very easy!!) 8. Hydrate – even making tea multiple times 9. Do something for self-care (I did some bill paying and, backing up computer files, etc.) 10. Walk in nature (If you don’t because you are traveling or for whatever reason, let yourself off the hook; let yourself relax; let yourself be, and, look at what you do do today.) 11. Go out of comfort zone at least once 12. Vocalize and sing with a friend if possible 13. Listen to songs for lesson even if only a little 14. Practice singing and instruments 15. Take quiet time alone if possible (Everyone else is asleep and I am the last to go to bed it seems) 16. Wiggle

Affirmations

I accept love into my life

I take care of myself

My friends and family are very encouraging and emotionally available to me and, I am to them also I am a great Singer

I sing lead vocals greatly and I improvise awesomely

I am a great musician

I take time to myself

I’m so happy and grateful that I have a nice great Partner who has a nice family

I’m so grateful for enjoying being in a relationship I ask for what I need and I take what I need – just the right amount

The universe is very abundant

I give and receive well

I allow compliments into my life and say I thank you

I allow paying music gigs into my life abundantly

I choose very carefully the paying and pro bono music gigs I commit to

Questions: What did I do today to let myself know I matter? 1. Packed lots of healthy snacks and veggies 2. Accepted love and closeness into my life 3. Went on trip with family but brought 2 instruments that I have to practice for upcoming gigs 4. Practiced songs together with my Partner and my friend for upcoming gigs