Figuring Things Out

I had the honor of subbing for a band instructor recently. Most of my day was spent in a practice room, working with students one-on-one.

I played saxophone in band, over 30 years ago! I remember what whole and half notes look like. I also recall how I would get nervous when I saw eighth or sixteenth notes all piled up. Flight of the Bumblebees was my downfall.

So, in a lesson, I get to brush off the cobwebs and try following along and help students as much as I can. I turned the tables a lot and asked them to teach me. I used my coaching skills to have them teach me and recognize their own growth.

Yet, I still had one student that stopped and apologized every time he made a mistake. Maybe he missed a note or rushed his time or squanked his trumpet. That sound of blaaat that’s somewhere between a note and a duck getting its foot stepped on?

“Sorry, I messed up.” “Sorry.” “Sorry.”

I reassured him he didn’t need to say sorry, that it was okay.

Then, these words came out of my mouth: “A mistake is just your brain trying to figure things out.”

Making a mistake can be uncomfortable. It’s a moment of vulnerability. What if we reframe from something “wrong” into a positive. Our brain trying to figure things out. If we’re not making mistakes, we’re really not trying. If we’re not trying, we’re not learning. And if we’re not learning, then what are we doing?

Go out there and make some happy mistakes. It’s your brain figuring things out!