When No One’s Watching
The first book of its kind to chronicle creative high performers, When No One’s Watching pulls back the curtain on the real life behind the legacy of celebrated musical artists and entertainment executives, giving readers an exclusive all-access pass inside their lesser-known story: the mindsets, routines and habits these visionaries rely upon to ditch their inner critic & rock their highest level of success – even when no one’s watching.
How do you show up and do the work, even when no one sees your effort? How can you celebrate your wins, even when there’s no audience to cheer you on?
When we think about the world of ‘high performance’, we tend to think of professional athletes, or corporate billionaires. But a high performance lifestyle exists far beyond the boardroom, or the baseketball court. High performers exist onstage, in the studio – and in the creative space.
Renowned for his athletic prowess onstage, RHCP’s Anthony Kiedis recruited the world’s top endurance coach (and fellow musician), Phil Maffetone, to keep him in tip-top shape on tour, swapping a hard-partying lifestyle in favor of his own wellness bus.
Gorillaz & Blur frontman Damon Albarn is famous for being one of rock’s most innovative and experimental collaborators. Lesser known about Albarn is his everyday, punching-the-clock grit, showing up to his studio M-F, 9:30-17:30 (because “that’s my job!” he notes).
The world’s best, most prolific, and longstanding artists show up for themselves consistently – even when their new album gets panned. Even when a pandemic shuts down their tour. Even when they’re under enormous pressure to perform. They show up – even when no one’s watching.
Whether you’re an artist or an executive, in a creative or a corporate role, this book is for any music junkie looking to up their game in their own daily performance. Packed with candid artist stories and interviews of successes, failed attempts, and action-oriented insights, it parallels these profiles with the proven High Performance Habits and offers a six-week plan to hone your creativity – and celebrate yourself – even when no one’s watching.
“I was never a great musician. But at 13, I was a national champion figure skater. Like recording artists, I was used to being ‘onstage’ performing under enormous pressure, and quite literally being judged on that performance.
But when no one was watching, I’d retreat to my room, put on my headphones, and fall into the albums of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Fleetwood Mac.
An unapologetic melomaniac, I felt truly at home in the music. I spent hours musing on how these artists got to that extraordinary level of success, under the weight of their own pressures – and how I might do the same, my own way.
Whether you’re already a celebrated recording artist, or simply have a secret Stevie Nicks hidden inside you (like me!), my goal for you, dear reader, is to not only be inspired to action by these stories, but to honor your struggles, and celebrate your wins – regardless of (proverbial) awards, accolades, followers, sold-out tours, or record sales.
”