Several weeks into my adventures with Minnesota Brass, I’ve realized that where I stand during practice really matters. When we do across-the-floors, my first instinct was to get at the end of the line. Then I realized that when my turn came, I was passe-ing and chasse-ing and jazz-running across the floor right toward a line of people watching me, because the people who had finished were now lined up facing my direction. Ack. NOT what I intended.
And when we work on flag spinning, same thing. I gravitate toward the back of the group. But between other bodies and that dang silk waving in my face, I can’t see the instructor half the time! And also, in the parts of an exercise where you face the back, I end up at the very FRONT of the group, with nobody to copy (uh, I mean, refer to) in front of me.
So I’m learning to place myself where I can feel the least self-conscious and also learn most efficiently.
It’s what I try to do in my writing life, too. Stand where I can clearly see and learn from writers I admire, who are farther along the trail I want to walk. I don’t stand where I make myself the center of attention—ugh. But I surround myself with other people who are working with the same attitude as me. They may be more or less skilled at this point, but they have a great time, work hard, and dance when the music comes on.
Where do YOU like to stand, either in your writing life or in your day job or in your hobbies? Are you hiding near the back, like me? Or does someplace else in the group work better for you? Do you naturally place yourself in the spot that works best for you, or do you have to fight your instincts and purposefully stand somewhere that makes you feel a bit uncomfortable?