It's a marathon, not a sprint

I'm training to run a half marathon in October.  I haven't run a race since 8th grade, but it raises money for WorldVision and I'm passionate about that organization and so I'm doing this.  When you train for a marathon, you run 3 miles, then 5, then 3, then 6 . . . forward, back, further forward.

Because of reality TV and some breakout performances, there's a perception that a performing career happens overnight, but it doesn't.  It's more like a marathon than a sprint.  Unless you are the one in a million, this stuff takes time. Michelle Chamuel and the Swon Brothers have been working at this for years and years (The Voice is still my only context for reality show reality, sorry).

It's forward, back, further forward.  Repeat.

That's Wise Elissa on the left.
She's awesome.

When Mackenzie arrived in Nashville,

she felt like she was already too old
at age 20.
But her wise friend Elissa
kept reminding her,
"You can't compare your beginning
to someone else's middle."

The important thing is to begin.  Mackenzie's been reading +Jon Acuff 's new book, START.  She heard him speak at at an event for musicians and couldn't wait to get the book.  It's great if you are starting or if you are starting over. And everyone has to start over at some point, so you need to just go buy this book and just keep it handy.

Athletes, performers, me, pretty much everyone with a big goal has to approach it like a marathon. Have a short memory for the inevitable setbacks. Have a plan that changes when it needs to. Remember that a lot of the battle is in your head.
But START.  And TRAIN.  And DO.

+Mackenzie Elliott in her classical music life. Cute updo but definitely not her.

+Mackenzie Elliott in her classical music life.
Cute updo but definitely not her.

I've watched Mackenzie take this approach and go from a misplaced classical voice major to someone who has the guts to become a pop singer.            
In Nashville.

I'm so proud of her, because she has already done the hardest part - she's started!  And she's got a plan that changes when needed. And she battles the demons of fear and uncertainty and just keeps moving forward.  Forward, back, further forward.  Repeat.

Latest Mom brag - new music videos here:  http://www.youtube.com/user/kenzielynne91