SELF BELIEF & SELF IMPROVEMENT
In any field or area of life, without self-belief, you will never go far. And with self-belief comes self-improvement.
As a professional in any field, you must always seek ways to better yourself—physically, mentally, intellectually, emotionally, or spiritually. There are different methods through which anyone can improve and become the best they can be in their chosen profession.
It is a proven fact that while practice may not always make one perfect, it definitely leads to improvement. Sometimes we don’t even realize it, but the more you do something consistently, the better you become—often without noticing.
This is why:
- Athletes and footballers train daily
- Lawyers study past cases and conduct research
- Teachers prepare and update their course materials
It is a tested truth: you become what you consistently do.
Why else would David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo stay behind after team training to practice free kicks?
Why would a driver train for months before being certified?
Why must a pilot log thousands of flight hours before flying major aircraft?
Why do bands rehearse repeatedly before performing live with an artist?
IMPROVEMENT AS AN ARTIST
As an artist, there are several ways to improve and become a better singer, entertainer, or performer.
Some artists are:
- Better singers than performers
- Strong performers but weaker vocalists
- All-round entertainers
- Pure stage performers
Whichever category you fall into, improvement is always possible through:
- Reading
- Watching
- Researching
- Asking questions
- Learning from mentors and experienced artists
But the most effective method remains:
practice, rehearsal, and more practice.
Most Nigerian artists take practice and rehearsals for granted. They forget that talent is only a starting point, while hard work is what earns recognition and turns talent into a profession.
To become a true professional, you must be committed to constant improvement.
VOICE CARE & VOCAL DEVELOPMENT
Some artists take their voices for granted.
I have seen artists perform after:
- Drinking alcohol
- Smoking excessively
These habits affect the vocal cords, leading to poor performance, hoarseness, or even breathlessness on stage.
Many don’t realize that:
- You can take voice lessons
- You can learn breath control
- You can improve your pitch and vocal range
Your voice requires care, discipline, and consistent training.
There are also:
- Foods and drinks to avoid before performances
- Natural remedies to maintain vocal strength
There are vocal coaches and therapists whose job is to help you maximize your voice.
Yet many artists strain their voices before shows—talking excessively, shouting in clubs, or partying heavily—only to deliver poor performances.
MUSICAL & PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT
Another form of self-improvement is learning to play an instrument.
Many Nigerian artists cannot play even one instrument.
Learning instruments like:
- Piano
- Guitar
…can help you:
- Understand musical keys
- Improve your ear for sound
- Identify the best pitch for your voice
You can also improve by:
- Performing with a live band
- Rehearsing regularly with musicians
This enhances your:
- Vocal flexibility
- Pitch accuracy
- Stage awareness
Some artists assume that because it is their own song, they don’t need to rehearse.
This leads to:
- Forgetting lyrics
- Missing verses
- Poor delivery
While it’s normal to forget lines occasionally, consistent rehearsal minimizes this risk.
STAGE PRESENCE & PERFORMANCE
Not every artist is a dancer. Not everyone has natural stagecraft.
But every artist can develop stage presence.
A strong stage presence allows you to:
- Connect deeply with your audience
- Engage fans emotionally
- Make each listener feel personally connected
THE POWER OF PRACTICE
There are countless ways to improve, but one thing remains constant:
practice is the master key.
All great performers put in the work long before stepping on stage.
Even Michael Jackson—one of the greatest performers of all time—was seen rehearsing tirelessly in preparation for his This Is It Tour.
“Change is constant, but the will to change is not.”
However, where there is a will, there will always be a way.
Nobody is perfect—but we all strive for excellence.
To become the best, you must work consistently until excellence becomes second nature.
ARTIST TIP OF THE DAY
Nothing in life comes easy.
To become a great artist or professional, you must:
- Be willing to put in the work
- Stay up late when necessary
- Keep improving your voice, writing, and stagecraft
Never relent. Never give up. Always keep pushing.
All written articles and pieces are original works of Toks Asher Young except quoted excerpts
