This one is for all the 1980s rock fans out there.
In 1985, the music group Heart was choosing songs to record for its 8th studio album, which was to be named simply, “Heart.” The group normally recorded songs they had written themselves, but they had been presented with a new song written by Martin Page and Bernie Taupin. Page was a singer-songwriter, who had co-written some notable tunes such as Starship’s anthem, “We Built This City.” Taupin was Elton John’s frequent writing partner.
Page and Taupin had written a new tune called “These Dreams,” which had been offered to Stevie Nicks, who turned it down. It found its way to Heart, who agreed to use it for their next album.
When Nancy Wilson went into the studio to record lead vocals for the song, she had a cold that day. This made her vocals sound raspy. The song went on to great commercial success. Later on, producers wanted her to recreate the same vocal style, jokingly asking her if she could just get sick again.
As so often happens in art, the artist’s weakness had become her secret weapon, at least on that song.
What do you perceive as your “weakness?” Maybe you’re divorced. Maybe you have a physical disability. Maybe people have made fun of you for wanting to be a writer. Maybe you didn’t get good grades at school or flunked out of college. Maybe you have failed in a lot of things and you wonder if you have anything of value to offer.
Let me set the record straight: YOU DO. You have so much value, and so much to offer. I want you to begin to look at yourself differently. Turn it around and begin to see your biggest weakness as your biggest strength. It’s what sets you apart and makes you unique.
Don’t run from it. Don’t hide it. Put yourself out there and be proud of the person you are. You have no idea how many other people will relate to that weakness.
Daily Question: What is your biggest weakness, and how can you use it in your writing to help others?