Masses

“50 million Elvis fans can’t be wrong.”  -- title of Elvis Presley’s ninth album, 1959

So Uncle Harry, Aunt Rose, and Cousin Cletus all offer the same glowing review of your latest efforts.  They must be onto something, right?  Perhaps.  But it’s probably best to seek out a few more worthy opinions.  Brett Favre probably isn’t one of them.

I’m amazed by the selective hearing so many creative types employ.  They treat favorable reviews as gospel while dismissing negative reviews as misguided tripe spewed forth by disgruntled wannabes.  I’m certainly guilty of filtering feedback, though I tend to dwell more on the negative than the positive, an equally unhealthy habit.

A middle ground exists between languishing in only positive evaluations and loathing in only the jarring criticism.  The law of averages comes into play and eventually the perspective of the masses is identified.  It’s up to each of us to sieve through the crystal blue persuasions offered by all the hanky pankies of the world until our crimson and clover are aligned like mony mony.

Uh, in other words, invite feedback often, and utilize the most oft recurring notes to better shape your craft, whether the craft be acting, writing, painting, or singing in a Tommy James and the Shondells cover band.