MasterMind Drummer
Newsletter #51
Dec 9th, 2024
Who is steering the ship? You?
Hey,
I hope the week has been good! It’s been a full-on at this end, but in all honesty, I’ve been loving every second of it. I’m a bit odd like that…
Between gigs, family life, the release of The Key To Dynamics & Mechanics Mastery, things have been nonstop!
I’ll start here… I have to say, the response to this new course has been humbling to say the least!
Due to the size of the course, I’ve been releasing it in stages, so everyone gets the necessary time in with the dynamic portion of the course, and the messages about the impact of the 7-Day Dynamic Reset specifically, have been incredible!
What’s amazing too, is the more time spent on this portion of the course in particular, the better! But even just 7-days alone makes a massive difference, as a lot of this is simply the awareness, too.
But it’s clear many of you are taking the time to dive deep into the material, which is exactly what I hoped for. As I always say with all my courses, “this is a lifetime journey, so take your time, be methodical, get the reps in, and most importantly, enjoy the process.”
Last week, I released Stage 2, which was the first batch of the ‘Mechanics’ modules: So Mechanics 2’s, Mechanics 3’s, and The Mighty Shuffle. There are 28 lessons in this stage alone! This is why –
A. I’m encouraging you to take it slow and steady.
B. I am releasing the course in stages, so everyone has time to take it all in.
The final modules—Funk Master, FlamTastic, and ‘Bonus Exercises’—are dropping soon, so stay tuned. You’ll be the first to know when they do so.
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Now, let’s talk about something I’ve been reflecting on a lot lately: agency.
We are coming up to the end of the year now, so it’s a great time to reflect on the past 12mths, and think about subtle, but powerful ways in which we can move forward positively and powerfully, for 2025.
The idea of Agency is a game-changer. It’s simply the belief that no matter what happens, you have the power to choose how you respond.
As you can probably already tell, the concept of agency in philosophy closely ties into Stoicism, something I’ve always found fascinating.
Both ideas emphasize personal control over our thoughts, actions, and reactions. It’s about realizing that while you can’t control external events, you absolutely can control how you respond to them.
In Stoicism, this is the essence of taking responsibility for your own life. It’s choosing to own your path instead of blaming circumstances or luck. Agency and Stoicism both remind us that true power lies in our ability to decide how we show up every single day.
Sure, life throws curveballs. We know this. Things happen outside our control. Of course! But the way we choose to react? That’s always up to us. This is agency.
I get it—sometimes it’s easy to feel like a victim of circumstance.
“The timing isn’t right.”
“I don’t have the resources.”
“I just don’t have time.”
Sound familiar?
The truth is, these are just stories we tell ourselves. They’re comfortable excuses we’ve created, that keep us stuck. And because we are creatures of habit, we get stuck fast! But when we strip those away, what’s left? The realization that we have far more control than we think.
When it comes to drumming—or any creative pursuit—the results you get are a direct reflection of the actions you take. Thats it.
If you want to level up your playing, it’s not about waiting for inspiration or hoping things will fall into place. Thats where the majority hang out – in ‘hope’. It’s about showing up, putting in the work, and trusting the process.
We’ve talked about this powerful quote before, but remember: “Discipline equals freedom.” – Jocko Willink.
At first, it sounds backwards, right? But think about it. When you create structure, show up consistently, and hold yourself accountable, you actually unlock more freedom.
Why? Because discipline eliminates guesswork.
It creates momentum. And once you have momentum, you start to see what’s possible. There is a roll-on effect from taking action.
Here’s where agency comes in: it’s not something you’re born with—it’s something you build. It’s a muscle, and you need to work it out regularly.
And the best place to start? Easy. Your daily routine.
For me, my routine is everything. It’s my foundation. Without it, I’d feel scattered. Sure, I don’t always nail it, which we’ll get into a little more next week, but the intention is there. It’s laid out each day, very black and white.
Exercise, proper rest, intentional practice—it’s not groundbreaking stuff, but it really works. These habits keep me grounded and make sure I’m bringing my best to everything I do—whether it’s recording, teaching, or most importantly, just being present for my family.
But here’s the thing: routines don’t have to be rigid. They should serve you, not box you in. Experiment with what works for you and stay consistent.
I’ve actually just made a massive change to my daily exercise and nutrition routine, so I can gather some data and hopefully get the results I am after, but these things take time, so for now, I need to just show up, and be consistent.
If you’re feeling stuck right now, here’s a challenge:
Think about one area where you feel like you’re spinning your wheels a little.
Then ask yourself, “What’s one small thing I can take control of today?”
It could be something as minor as 15 minutes working on your world class doubles, or setting up your kit to feel more ergonomic, or even something completely outside drumming, like prepping a healthy meal or going for a run – both of which I highly recommend.
Small, consistent wins add up fast. Trust me.
I find the ‘best’ don’t necessarily succeed, it’s generally just the ones who are most consistent.
This isn’t just about drumming; it’s about building a life you’re proud of. Agency is your key to making that happen, and it starts with the choices you make right now.
Let’s tie this back to MasterMind Drummer.
I mentioned this recently to someone in an email exchange – I don’t teach drums, I teach accountability through the lens of a drummer.
Yes, I have 27 years experience now, and a bunch of areas I like to focus on with my teaching, but the whole point of everything I teach—whether it’s courses, coaching, or newsletters—is simply to help you take ownership of your journey. To move forward on and off the kit, and with intention.
Thats it.
It’s about making the decision, committing, and then simply taking small and intentional steps every day. Then, the changes you’re looking for start to unfold.
I’ll leave you with this quote that I really love:
“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker.
This is very true. You’ve got this.
So, today, take a step back, reflect, and ask yourself –
Who is steering the ship? You?
If it’s you, great! Keep pushing. And if not? Maybe it’s time to make some changes…
Let’s leave it there for this week.
As always, thanks for reading these, and thanks for all your feedback, too. I really appreciate it.
I read them all. So please, if you have any thoughts, send them through, and let’s get a dialogue happening.
Don’t forget… Stay hungry (and stay healthy!)
See you next week.
Stan