Bruce Springsteen is one of the world's best-selling artists. He is long recognized as one of the best live performers of all time. 

 

This quote from Bruce came after he was asked about the mental side of putting on a great performance for his audience. 

 

"When I was starting out, I was worried that I would find myself 'out' of myself and not in the moment. My old friend Peter Wolf once said, 'The strangest thing you can do on stage is think about what you're doing.' This is true. 

​

To observe oneself from afar while struggling to bring the moment to life is an unpleasant experience. I've had it more than once. 

​

It's an existential problem. It doesn't mean it's going to be a bad show. It may be a great one. It just means it might take time, something we don't have much of tonight. 

​

When that happens, I do anything to break it. Tear up the set list, call an audible, make a mistake— anything to get back to being in the moment.  

​

That's what you get paid for, TO BE HERE NOW! The power, potential, and volume of your present-ness is a basic rock and roll promise. 

​

It's the essential element that holds the attention of your audience, that gives force, shape, and authority to the evening's events. 

​

And however you get there on any given night, that's the road you take."

​

​

Franco's Follow-Up:

 

Bruce Springsteen is known for his amazing concert experiences, yet still struggles at times to stay present.

 

The problem isn't that you drift away from the moment at times.

 

It all comes down to your ability to get back to the moment. 

​

When you are overthinking things (observing outside yourself), how do you get back to the present?