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

Engage your audience

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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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