I don’t consider myself to be a very good singer but I have some music in my DNA. I can carry a tune.
So recently I was surprised that while singing, Happy Birthday, my voice seemed a bit off. I figured that I was congested and this was putting me off tune.
But over time, I noticed this problem more and more. While my daily life is not like a musical, where I just break into song, I do find myself singing a line or two during the day, whether it’s in the shower, the car, or in front of a mirror.
I’ve come to the conclusion that my vocal range has shrunk. I’m no longer able to hit certain notes. These are the same ones that I could effortlessly reach in the past.
I don’t know if this is the result of damage to my vocal cords, an inner ear problem, or simply a sign of age.
There could be another reason: I didn’t do enough to respect and develop my talent.
It’s very easy to take our natural talents for granted. But the skills you’re born with or have developed will only stay good for so long if left unattended. You can’t expect longterm excellence when you refuse to maintain these abilities.
On the physical side, if you were a great athlete, you can’t expect to stay competitive if your biggest daily exercise is getting off the couch.
Our high tech world demands that we continue to develop our mental skills. When I was in college, I learned how to use spreadsheets. Then I didn’t touch a spreadsheet for 11 years. When I had to use one, I realized that my once dependable skill set had either become obsolete or forgotten. I had to invest time, start from square one, and relearn what I once knew.
As we enter the time of year when we make New Year’s Resolutions, you may not want to focus on the things that you’ve never done but instead turn your attention to the things that you do well. Odds are you’ve been neglecting some of these talents. Nurture what you do well and keep those skills fresh.
Remember, when you’re out of tune, you’re out of touch.
