Last week on the podcast, I learned how to sing in public.

This week, I hit the streets of Melbourne to find out what it’s REALLY like to be a street performer (or ‘busker’ as we say in Australia).

I wanted to know:

• What’s it like getting started?
• How do you get noticed by passers by?
• How do stand out from all the other buskers?
• Is it possible to make a living busking full time?
• How long would it take me to earn back my $20 busking permit fee?

I learned all this, and so much more! Listen in to hear their awesome stories, and to get a little taste of Melbourne’s amazing, beautiful vibrant culture.

Huge thank you to talented buskers Jo, Matt, Tash, Marcellus, Zac and Damon for taking the time to chat with me and share their stories. Keep on rocking it, guys!

 

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Your challenge this week:

Here are some takeaways from my conversations:

1. Embrace random interactions

This is one of the best ways to shake up your routine of speaking to the same people, day in day out. You never know what you will discover.

I challenge you to have a random conversation with someone. Buskers are easy to approach, but you could also talk to, let’s say, the bus driver, or uber driver, or waiter, or your dental assistant, or sales person at the shops. Try it, and see what happens.

2. Love your work by finding the meaning behind it

Tash, the balloon lady, doesn’t just make balloons. She helps keep the kids of Melbourne safe and healthy. If you think your work is boring and meaningless, FIND the opportunities and the positives that make it more meaningful. Even if it’s as simple as making someone else’s day a bit brighter.

3. People are human

It’s very easy to walk down the street and ignore the buskers, or not make eye contact with the server at the grocery store, or be really rude to your phone company’s customer service guy. Remember that these people are human, just like you and me, and really appreciate when you give them a bit of acknowledgement.

It’s very simple, just looking someone in the eye and giving them a genuine smile and a hello. Never underestimate how powerful that can be.

If you’re in Melbourne, come join me this Saturday afternoon for a singalong as I bust out my ukulele for the very first time as a busker! Click here to join the facebook event for exact location and time. See you there!