• Don't be afraid to say "I made a mistake."
    Learn three clean jokes.
    Watch a sunrise at least once a year.
    Make new friends but cherish the old ones.
    Leave the toilet seat in the down position.
    be there when people need you.
    Plant flowers every spring.
    Floss your teeth.
    Stop blaming others.
    Send lots of Valentines Day cards and sign them "Someone who thinks you're terrific."
    Keep your promises (no matter what).
    Sing in the shower.
    Look people in the eye.
    Return all things you borrow.
    Marry only for love.
    Commit yourself to constant improvement.
    Wear polished shoes.
    Compliment even small improvements.
    Sing in a choir.
    Return borrowed vehicles with the gas tank filled.
    Keep it simple.
    Use the good silver.
    Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
    Always accept an outstretched hand.
    Ask for a raise when you feel you've earned it.
    Buy whatever kids are selling on card tables in their front yards.
    Dance like no-one is watching. Sing like no-one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt.
    Take responsibility for every area of your life.
    Say "please" a lot.
    Don't expect life to be fair.
    Say "thank-you" a lot.
    Leave everything a little better than you found it.
    Keep secrets.
    Wave at kids on school buses.
    Avoid negative people.
    Drink champagne for no reason at all.
    Call your mother.
    Compliment three people everyday.
    Feed a stranger's expired parking meter.
    Plant a tree on your birthday.
    Count your blessings.
    Carry jumper cables in your trunk.
    Remember other people's birthdays.
    Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.
    Be forgiving of yourself and others.
    Never refuse homemade brownies.
    Over tip breakfast waitresses.
    Don't be afraid to say "I don't know."
    Have a dog.
    Live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation.
    Strive for excellence, not for perfection.
    Rekindle old friendships.
    Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
    Be the first to say hello.
    Never underestimate the power of love.
    Have a firm handshake.
    Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.

Engage your audience

This is why people come to see you – to be entertained. To entertain means, obviously, to be entertaining.

Nothing is more engaging than eye contact – it’s a fundamental thing about people. It establishes sincerity, interest and trust. So next time you perform, pick someone in the audience and sing your song to them. Some examples:

  • Ask them, personally and sincerely, “Shall we Dance”? Make it feel like an actual invitation.
  • Look them in the eye and try to make them believe that no matter how badly you slipped up, “You Were Always on My Mind”.
  • In “Yesterday” you open your heart and your hurt and your longing – make them believe that you chose just them to share that with.
  • If it’s a happy song, put that smile on your face and that twinkle in your eye as you romp through “Mairi’s Wedding”.
  • Pick someone else for the next verse or the next song.

People are also attracted to movement. In the context of a choir, this takes some coordination. Individuals bopping about can be more distracting than enjoyable, so this is where it’s essential to follow your director’s instructions. All sway together, all clap together, all march together – whatever the song calls for.

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