Trading Expectation for Intention in our Singing Practice
“Set an intention and let go of expectation.”
- Joseph Goldstein
I was washing the dishes and listening to a podcast with meditation teacher Joseph Goldstein this past week when I heard him say:
“Set an intention and let go of an expectation.”
I froze mid pan scrubbing and grabbed a piece of paper to jot down his words. He was talking about how to approach meditation but the singer in me felt the connection to vocal exploration deeply.
It’s really essential to kick expectation to the curb in our singing practice. Why? Well, picture if you will an overbearing, controlling, perfectionist caricature hovering at your practice room door. Now imagine them knocking every 2 minutes, hollering things like:
“ Have you figured out how to even-out that vibrato yet?”
“ Do you sound audition ready yet?”
“ Are you better than your competition yet?”
“ Is it perfect yet?”
“ Have you fixed your high notes yet?”
That’s how expectation operates when it’s at the forefront of our singing practice. Through it’s disruptive ramblings, it instills in us an urgent need to achieve a specific result…now! And in doing so it shifts our attention away from what is actually happening moment to moment.
Expectation says, “I need to achieve a certain result in my singing NOW.”
Intention says, “I will bring my full curious, attentive and kind presence to my singing exploration today.”
Intention is a much better partner to growth than expectation.
Intention in no way negates your goals, dreams and aspirations. It actually honours them by creating the kind of mental and emotional space they need in order to flourish.
Intention leaves room for questions, curiosity and mystery.
It doesn’t impose a limited definition of success but encourages authenticity, ingenuity and creativity to flourish.
It doesn’t have strict time lines or quick fixes - it honours the time growth needs.
It recognizes that the most meaningful discoveries are rarely made in two steps or awakened through force and control.
Intention reminds us that we can only be responsible for showing up and offering our whole selves to the process.
How can you invite intention into your singing practice today?
