The Every Day Mind-Set
As someone who prides himself on being successful, and wanting to be successful, I have started doing research on what others in my field have done to make themselves a success. It looks like I've got a long road ahead of me. Especially having to try and do it mostly by myself. It seems that most of the people before me who have been successful in music have done way more than just one thing with their careers. I was reading some stories of people who had:
Learned to tune pianos.
Played music at private functions.
Had a huge roster of piano students.
Yeah. Working seven days a week. Doing ALL that. That's almost how I feel right now. Still others are a combination of teachers or performers, work at record labels, are composers, copyists, arrangers, and so forth. As someone who makes a living in the field of music, many times we don't do just ONE thing. I think coming to terms with this as someone who loves this field is one of best things I could have possibly done. For the most part, I work outside the circles of a corporate type setting. Sure, I have a 9-5, but it's at a family owned place. Awesome, huh? Then, I teach. I also perform. And I lead music at church. And promote. And all sorts of stuff. I have a short film (possibly two) coming up at the end of August to start scoring, and who knows what else.
Another realization I've come to is that most of the guys who have been successful at what I do don't hit their stride until their 30's. I have at least another five years before that even happens, so that gives me some perspective as well. As funny as it may sound, I used to think that my life's accomplishments would all be waiting for me right after I finished school. Strange, and a relief to find out that for most the good work isn't waiting until years down the road.
That's not to say that I'm not doing good work right now, but the time when I can really expect to see my work paying off is still a ways off.
So that pretty much leaves me with the following conclusion: that I am right where I need to be and doing exactly what I need to do. I'm researching, learning, making connections, and building strength. People wonder how I can work so much, but that's exactly what I've got to do. It's not just about surviving. It's about preparation. So, every day, I've got to get back at it.
I used to wonder if music was going to help me pay my bills, but then again, I just payed off two huge amounts of debt associated with my divorce, and the rest is going to be gone by the end of this year. All thanks to music.
So, yeah, I think I'm doing OK.
Learned to tune pianos.
Played music at private functions.
Had a huge roster of piano students.
Yeah. Working seven days a week. Doing ALL that. That's almost how I feel right now. Still others are a combination of teachers or performers, work at record labels, are composers, copyists, arrangers, and so forth. As someone who makes a living in the field of music, many times we don't do just ONE thing. I think coming to terms with this as someone who loves this field is one of best things I could have possibly done. For the most part, I work outside the circles of a corporate type setting. Sure, I have a 9-5, but it's at a family owned place. Awesome, huh? Then, I teach. I also perform. And I lead music at church. And promote. And all sorts of stuff. I have a short film (possibly two) coming up at the end of August to start scoring, and who knows what else.
Another realization I've come to is that most of the guys who have been successful at what I do don't hit their stride until their 30's. I have at least another five years before that even happens, so that gives me some perspective as well. As funny as it may sound, I used to think that my life's accomplishments would all be waiting for me right after I finished school. Strange, and a relief to find out that for most the good work isn't waiting until years down the road.
That's not to say that I'm not doing good work right now, but the time when I can really expect to see my work paying off is still a ways off.
So that pretty much leaves me with the following conclusion: that I am right where I need to be and doing exactly what I need to do. I'm researching, learning, making connections, and building strength. People wonder how I can work so much, but that's exactly what I've got to do. It's not just about surviving. It's about preparation. So, every day, I've got to get back at it.
I used to wonder if music was going to help me pay my bills, but then again, I just payed off two huge amounts of debt associated with my divorce, and the rest is going to be gone by the end of this year. All thanks to music.
So, yeah, I think I'm doing OK.