It always helps to review your performances. After-Action Reviews can help you keep track of your own progress and growth, and are also a great way to focus your attention on areas you need to improve.
As soon as you get back from your event, immediately jot down the things you thought you did well, and the things you feel you need to work on. Make a note of any equipment malfunctions. That way you can have the equipment fixed up and ready to go for your next event. And write down any comments the crowd, and clients made about your performance…good and bad, these comments will give you a view from the crowd, what they thought you did well, and what they thought you could do better. Just remember that most people in the crowd are not professional DJ’s, so if they have any feedback, listen, but take it with a grain of salt.
After Action Reviews are an excellent habit to get into. Playing back the events of the gig in your mind, can help you get a grip on the areas that need improvement. Focus your attention on those things that you need to strengthen, but also keep improving the areas where you are already good, that’s how you will become great. Once you have all of your bases covered; mixing, song selection, preparation, and crowd interaction, then you can begin to take all of these skills to the next level.
We all have different levels of expertise, and some are better at MC’ing while others find their strength in mixing the music. If you consciously make note of your performances from every gig, you will begin to see improvement in all the areas you focus your attention on. And eventually the pluses will outweigh the minuses, and you and everyone else will begin to take notice.
