All Hands on Deck

Have you ever been excited to accomplish something important "all by yourself" and then realized later that you actually had a lot of help along the way?

Today I got to meet a friend's toddler son for the first time. He's just beginning to walk on his own, to eat solid "grown-up" food and express his emotions. He still obviously needs a lot of help in many ways. But he's not the least bit shy about asking for it. And even when he does something new "by himself," he has a cheering squad of adults encouraging him and ready to catch him when he falls.

As adults, we sometimes don't want to admit that we need help, but we do--every day--and in lots of different ways. And we're sometimes hesitant to make the ask.

Right now I am working with the music director for my June 9th show to pull together charts, with the Manship Theater on promotions, with fellow musicians on arrangements and media outlets to spread the word for ticket sales. It takes a TEAM of people to make a great show possible!

Even mandolin virtuoso, Chris Thile, who I had the pleasure of hearing perform a solo concert a few years ago in Houston, has a TEAM of people who make his SOLO concerts possible.

What are you working on right now? And where could you use a little help?

Have you asked for it?

If not, I challenge you to do so today.

If it's something you've been putting off for a while, instead of thinking about "the worst thing that could happen" if you ask, I invite you to think "what's the best that could happen?"

For example, I just called my local library to ask if they would promote the Manship show by adding the poster to their digital billboards. And in the span of our 5-minute conversation, the librarian said SHE's going to buy a ticket to the show!

Many great things start with reaching out and asking for help. Do it!

In the meantime, I hope to see you tomorrow night for Historical Happy Hour with me and the Florida Street Blowhards (at the West Baton Rouge Museum) and June 9th at the Hartley/Vey Studio in the Manship Theater!

With gratitude,
​
Ashley