Building your Machine
and finding systems that illicit success
“How you do anything is how you do everything” - Martha Beck
Whether you are a novice in your chosen career or an esteemed veteran, there is a chance that, at some point, you find yourself confronted by an uncertain future. Or, facing up against a new challenge. Or, suffering the perils of a breakdown or mistake when it comes to your business.
Maybe you are excited, but do not even know where to start. Maybe you are downtrodden, frustrated, or agitated at a situation that does not seem to be going your way. Maybe you are confused, torn between two options to go in your career and you are finding it difficult to decide how to pick.
Ladies and gentlemen may I present to you, a case for the Machine Model.
What’s that you say?
Let’s get into it.
A machine is a relatively straightforward device with inputs and outputs. Something goes in, something gets transformed, something comes out. There is this thing - the machine - that was built with purpose, to achieve a goal in mind. The machine is given ingredients, instructions, and processes from the owner to create a product that is said goal.
This is business - on an individual or corporate scale. To view your career — whether you are an individual songwriter, an entrepreneurial business owner, or an employee for a larger organization — through this simple lens can create lifechanging results.
A well run business has underlying principles moving the progress and systems that are frequently being evaluated to ensure highest quality and efficiency. The people, process, and mission must all be aligned behind a machine. Mistakes will be inevitable but it is how one responds that will determine the growth trajectory.
So, as you build a business, or are actively employed in some sort of business, what are some good starting points to achieve success over and over again?
An Action Plan
It can be said that most successful individuals and organizations are those that are able to systematically confront reality, understand patterns, and make decisions based on principles that improve over time. And they do this by following a sequential system, or action plan.
5 step plan of action
Set clear goals – Understand what you want to achieve.
Identify and don't tolerate problems – Acknowledge and address obstacles that might prevent you from reaching your goals.
Diagnose problems to get at their root causes – Drill down to the underlying issues, not just symptoms.
Design solutions to get around the problems – Create a plan that addresses root causes and enables progress.
Do what’s necessary to push these solutions through – Execute with discipline and commitment to the plan.
This is a simplified model, for what is potentially a simple chain of events. But it works. There is complexity that comes along with each step, sure. But keeping this flow in mind as you continuously build allows you to stay the course while achieving your vision.
How does this apply to musicianship?
An artist starting out in their career, or an artist long into their career, may still benefit by building their brand using a Machine Model lens. The decisions and considerations faced by artists and creative professionals may be nuanced, but there will constantly be opportunities for mindfulness and evaluation akin to a standard business structure.
Some food for thought
As you stand at the forefront of your own business & brand, here are some recommendations to conscientiously proceed:
Determine personal values, and specific goals, firm foundations, top priorities
Take some serious stock as to who you are, what you want, and how you want to feel. It is just as important to know yourself thoroughly as to have a goal. When you know yourself, you will be able to build a world around you that supports what you want. Your answer may change over time, but adhering to the ones you set for yourself over & over again builds a strong muscle for automating your judgement calls.
Create a team of individuals & stakeholders around you who are clear that they are worked towards shared goals
Your team should be just as passionate and motivated as you are to achieve likeminded goals. Playing on the same team, for the same reason, is essential to combat miscommunication, distraction, chaos. This team should be evaluated frequently to ensure alignment, as people are the most crucial input for a well-run machine. It is up to you to steer the ship.
Surround yourself with teammates who both cover your shortcomings & expand your worldview
We all have blindspots. To ignore is fatal. It is exceptionally hard to train yourself out of an ingrained way of being. Nobody can do everything, nor should they. It is a freeing thought to have that clarity & humility as you grow. When you have a team around you that counterbalances your weakness and expands your strengths, your machine will be the better for it. And consistently evaluate, and re-evaluate, where you are and what your team is doing for you at the current state as it relates to the ideal future.
Understand the world as it is, and not as we wish it to be
It is so difficult to see reality as it is. It is much easier to face when we’re not afraid of the truth. Honest, transparent, and authentic communication - with yourself and your team - is the surest way to keep your lens clear. Do not shy away from it.
Pain + Reflection = Progress
Mistakes, Problems, maybe even failure — are these buzzwords for you? For most people. We spend so much time trying to avoid pain, at a high cost of ignorance and stagnancy. Nobody and nothing is right all the time, and rarely the first time. Learn to make failure your friend and make problems intolerable. If you can lean into that way of thinking, you add an incredible tool to your belt. Experiencing a pain point, looking at it for what it is, understanding it, and growing from it - you can’t lose! Progress always wins.
Try incorporating some of these practices as you look towards growth in the year ahead. And let us know when something works. We are always looking to celebrate community wins.
Which element of the this model do you think will benefit you most?
Wishing you luck as you start up the machine.
Brad & Lily