During a recent conversation with a young woman who will soon be a surgeon, we discussed the subject of dealing with people. She mentioned the fact that several of her fellow students were lacking in this area, followed by the statement that “it was difficult to fault people for something they can’t do anything about”.
Though I didn’t say it at the time, I disagree. I think people CAN do something about how they interact with other people. My experience has taught me that everything needed to be exceptional with people can indeed by learned. However, what struck me most about her commment was that the folks around you can’t be counted on to tell you if you have faults in this area.
This means it’s totally up to you alone to figure our how you’re doing and make adjustments as needed. My suggestion? Make this a lifelong study. You will always, continually and every changingly, interact with people. I have found that the most accomplished people in this area are tireless students. They read, study, ask questions and find mentors. They are also extremely successful in their chosen fields. And isn’t that what you want too?
I was at my son’s favorite skatepark today when I overheard some guys talking about a band that wanted to stay “underground”. One of the guys was struggling to understand why this band was adamant about staying “cool” by refusing a major record deal. He said “what’s the point of starving? You can only starve for so long and then your dead!” He then went on to say that it seems musicians are scared to make money from their music. Then he simply said that if they want to feel that way, they can “just starve then!!”
**BINGO**
When people like stuff, they do whatever it takes to have it. In our modern world, the legal process is called a purchase. With money. And this is a good thing, especially if what they’re purchasing is something from you and you get some of that money.
Do you agree? If so, why? If not, why? You need to answer this question. This is the biggest question in the life of a person in this industry.
I am not joking. This is the pivotal question for you and your career and no one else can, or should make this decision. It is not about anybody but you.
Decide now how you want to handle this topic. Then get to it!
July 9th, 2004
8:15 am
Money
Had a long meeting at work yesterday. A group was pulled together to determine if we should handle the business of a potential Client. We’re a service business and there were several points to our debate:
1.) The Client doesn’t have much work.
2.) It will require a large amount of manual work on our part (we are very high tech).
3.) It may lead to other work.
4.) What should we charge?
I thought to myself how often I had had the same choices as a musician and yet I never debated a thing — I just TOOK THE WORK! I wish I had thought more like this:
1.) The Client doesn’t have much work.
As I look back on my music career, I’ve realized that I spent an awful lot of time working with Clients like this. Certainly there were times when I was starving and ANY work was welcomed, but in reality, this was rarely the case. I now know that this work usually took me away from my career goals. If you truly NEED the work, take it. But otherwise, stick to your goals.
2.) It will require a large amount of manual work on our part (we are very high tech).
I can confidently say that without exception, every “little bit” of work I took as a musician took TWICE the effort of normal work and the business world has only confirmed this understanding. True professionals — serious people — work, and they work a lot. Less professional people work less. They also know less, and/or have less capable equipment than the busy folks. Therefore it’s often painful working with them, and I do mean painful. No matter what you do in music, or what your goal is, keep this in mind. It will help you make sure you understand the short term AND long term ramifications of what you’re deciding.
3.) It MAY lead to other work.
I emphasize may because this is always a part of every low end deal you’ll be offered. I guarantee it! Without fail, every lousy gig I had offered to me had this as the promise. Now, I ask you, if the work is lousy, or the person unprofessional and unskilled, why would you want MORE of it?
4.) What should we charge?
This is the question that gave me the most challenge as a musician. My answer now? Charge what you’re worth. Always. Especially if the work is difficult like what we’re discussing here.
In the end, my company decided to charge a premium to this Client because of all the extra work involved. Our mindset was that if we lost the business, we’d be fine without it. If we got it, we’d be paid for the extra headaches it would bring.
Make sure that as a music person, you’re thinking the same way.
(p.s. Before my company spoke to the Client about our decision, something came up internally and they backed out of discussions. This is also typical–Clients like this are often unstable. This is a headache worth avoiding too…)
