We recently connected with Cheyenne Benton and have shared our conversation below.
Cheyenne, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
When I think of resilience, and think about where I could have derived it from, I’m reminded of the Ernest Hemingway quote, “The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.” I don’t think I would describe myself as resilient, I’d like to think defiant is more accurate. I’m not sure if I see myself as particularly strong, even. Just unrelenting. I think I’ve been ‘killed’ many times, figuratively – I think a massive part of being creative is succumbing to the death of your expectations. I’ve spent many years consumed by worry and fear, that my work isn’t enough, that I myself am not enough – and the reality is there will always be truth in that. There will always be places my work will not be recognized, acknowledged, or appreciated. I think resilience comes into play when you continue to create anyway – despite what anyone thinks of you, or how many times you’ve been rejected, regardless of how difficult it is, or how long it takes. I get my resilience from the desire to defy whatever or whoever might stand in my way – to create because it is what I feel that I need to do.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I hold a lot of different titles, and wear a plethora of hats. I don’t like being pigeonholed into one position – I think that’s limiting. I enjoy exploring and expanding my skillset, utilizing my strengths and challenging my weaknesses. Before anything, I’m an artist at heart. Last year, I put out my first self-written, self-produced record. I did the majority of the engineering on the project, and I learned so much. I put out four music videos to accompany it – written, directed and edited by myself and my director of photography, Chris Casey. I directed and edited the still visuals for the album art, shot by Jessie DeVoe. I designed and produced my band’s live show we’ve performed all over San Diego and Los Angeles the last year and a half. I work out of Studio West in San Diego as a Production Coordinator – producing our live shows and directing our youth program for high schoolers. I’ve worked with colleagues on a number of different creative projects, everything from indie films, albums, songwriting, creative direction, production, singing.. the list goes on. Above all, I’m most content when I’m chasing after or dreaming up the next idea for whatever project I’m working on in the moment. I’m currently in the production phase for my next music project, which I’m excited to share more details about when it is closer to fruition. In the meantime, you can catch me performing live all over San Diego County (details on my IG page @cheyenne.benton).
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think no matter what journey you’re on – the three qualities that are imperative to success are flexibility, commitment, and compassion. If you are too rigid in your approach, you make it difficult for others to work with you. You also limit yourself from being able to expand your skillset. The reality is there will always be more to learn, no matter how long you’ve been practicing your craft. When you embrace flexibility, you get better at rolling with the punches, and familiarize yourself with alternative ways of approaching problems whenever they arise. This makes you a valuable team member, no matter where your career takes you.
Commitment is important, because we live in a world where everyone talks a big game, but very few people actually follow through. When you think ahead, plan ahead, and then commit to your long term goals and plans – you create credibility for yourself. Even if you’re not the smartest, most talented, most skilled player on the team – you’re far more valuable if you are dependable. When you show up for others in the ways you say you will, you are demonstrating loyalty. Talent will really only get you so far.
The most important of the three, in my opinion, is compassion. Wherever you MIGHT go, the people around you will always remember the ways in which you treated them. Genuine compassion is about having the discipline to be honest with yourself and others, even when it goes against whatever might be most advantageous for you. It’s about sincerely looking out for your colleagues, your peers, your friends – showing up professionally, practically, and emotionally. It’s about owning your mistakes and shortcomings, and taking accountability where you can. Being able to put yourself in another’s shoes and help your neighbor when they’re in need. I think it’s far more valuable than any technical skill that can be taught.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I try to be as candid as possible about my mental health journey, in hopes that I contribute to its destigmatization. Who has been helpful more than anyone are the health care providers I’ve had the privilege of working with over the past few years specifically. It is deeply disturbing to me that the access to these tools are a luxury in America, but I urge anyone with the resources to take full advantage of the opportunities to take care of your mental well being. If you don’t have access to those services, utilize the tools you DO have at your disposal – Google, ChatGPT, workbooks, libraries – however you can gain knowledge and research, because any kind of success starts with being in the right frame of mind. Success is extremely difficult to maintain if you are struggling internally, and we live in a society that prioritizes productivity over everything – including your wellbeing. But you are more likely to create and maintain success for yourself if you are taking care of your psyche. I think this has been one of the most challenging lessons I have had to learn (and am still actively learning).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cheyennebenton.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheyenne.benton/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheyennebentonmusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cosmiccheyenne
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheyennebenton
- Other: https://linktr.ee/cheyennebenton
Image Credits
Samara Shhadeh, Michael Lopez, Julia Sage
