We recently connected with Nicole Springer and have shared our conversation below.
Nicole, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
One of the biggest struggles in my adult life has been to rebuild my confidence. Like many adults, I discovered in recent years that my self-esteem had been crushed by the hurt I have endured throughout my life and was causing me daily suffering in turn. I realized this as a I decided to pursue music full-time, all on my own as a solo artist. I felt so vulnerable taking a stage alone with such low self worth – but time revealed that challenge was what I needed. Every show, every performance was an opportunity to practice confidence. Being on the stage facing an audience pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me the chance to stand on my own 2 feet again, slowly but surely rebuilding my self-esteem! And the best part of gaining confidence as an adult is you can combine it with the wisdom of your life. You can protect your worth this time because you have lived, learned, and healed. I feel grateful to hold a new found confidence that reminds me of how strong I really am.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Nicole Springer and I am a full-time musician and singer-songwriter out of Kansas City. As an original music artist, I make music with the aim of moving people. I write mainly about my mental health journey, overcoming, love, letting go, and moving on. I believe music has the power to heal and lift up all of us and I take it as a personal responsibility to share the lessons I’ve learned in song to do just that.
I am excited to be releasing my debut, all solo self-titled album on October 24th. The album serves as an overview of my life experience with songs spanning over 20 years of my life. My first single off of the album called Strong is all about taking ownership of your own strength! It’s a pep talk to your heart, reminding you of how far you’ve come and encouraging the dreams you still wish to see through.
In addition to the album and single, I will also be releasing a new music video in mid October for my 2nd single Better Day, a song all about surviving rock bottom to see a better day.
When I’m not recording music, I am a full-time musician performing shows all over the country and world, most recently as singing aboard ships for The Royal Caribbean.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The 3 qualities that have been imperative to me getting to where I am today are patience with the process, dedication to the craft, and listening to my gut. Firstly, you absolutely have to have patience when pursuing any dream you might have. The process of becoming a full-time musician as an example can be slow and take years to develop. Part of being patient means having realistic expectations and learning to find peace with where you are in the process. Pushing against the winds of reality by wishing you were 5 years ahead of where you currently are can lead to burn out entirely and have a negative impact on your mental health. It IS possible to be grateful for where you are in the process while also pressing forward in the direction of your dreams. Patience is the key.
Dedication to the craft is a huge step that I think often gets overlooked or undervalued. On my own musical journey, I’ve made it a mission to get better at everything I do. We don’t grow without challenging ourselves and that is always evident in how we sound on stage or in studio. Put in the time to practice and get to know your instrument more. Learn that difficult song even if it feels out of your vocal range. Take pride in your craft and you will find that not only does your sound evolve but your career will as well.
Listening to your gut is a huge part of making a career without compromises. Pay attention to how your body reacts when you’re working with a producer or auditioning a band member for your project. Feel out every opportunity, re-evaluate your contracts, ask questions, and follow up as many times as you need. It is so important that you advocate for yourself, speak up and out, and honor your gut instincts along the way. Take my word on it: listening to your gut can spare you from working with the wrong people and/or taking opportunities that are not quite what they seem.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Being your own boss as a full-time musician can come with its fair share of stressors and feeling overwhelmed can become common place. It can take a lot of confidence to build your own career, especially from the ground up. When I feel overwhelmed, I tend to turn to either being creative or meditating. Being creative is one of the best ways to become present. It can take you out of your anxiety and bring you back to now. Whether it’s jumping on a piano or singing along to the radio, being creative can help you through the strain of being overwhelmed. I also love to meditate when things feel too much. Meditating incorporates deep breathing, letting go of your worrying thoughts, and finding peace being right where you are. Both strategies have helped me time and time again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nicolespringersings.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolespringersings/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/nicolespringersings
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolespringerlinked/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicolesingskc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7hjjX1JWBJBjuqFeDimyoA
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/nicolespringersings
Image Credits
First photo – Scott Bosworth
