If you’ve read my book, Why I FAILED in the Music Business, you know that Chapters 1 and 2 both deal with the subject of talent. One of the primary reasons I spend two chapters on talent is that I’ve learned that it makes you blind.
Talent
Talent is important, but please understand that in wanting to pursue a career in music, you are entering a world FULL of talented people. “Being talented” is simply the permission slip to compete. If you want to “win,” otherwise known as work, you need to combine your talent with practice in order to become great.
I don’t suspect I’m telling you anything you don’t already know, but here’s the problem: most creative people get stuck here.
- They have talent.
- They know how to practice and work hard.
- They’ve successfully put those two together to become great at what they do.
- Being “great” has gotten them work as well as the support and applause of friends, family and fans.
- Life is good.
Until they don’t get a gig and/or they face criticism.
Reactions
Suddenly, talent becomes a problem for the simple reason that it’s always worked. And because it has always worked, the musician makes two fatal mistakes:
- First, they blame others. They say things like, “they don’t get me,” or, “I never wanted to play with them anyway,” or, “they suck (or worse)!”
- Second, they miss the opportunity to ask themselves, “why didn’t I get the gig?” Or, “what if what this person is telling me is true, or at least partially true?”
They are blind to the feedback they need to succeed.
Feedback
I encourage you to see every failure, set-back and disappointment as an opportunity to learn, grow and change.
- Look for deeper reasons: Don’t be satisfied with “they didn’t like my playing.” Why not? Did you play your best? Were you prepared? Were you the right musical fit? Why or why not? Could you be? How?
- You don’t have to agree with the feedback, but make sure you understand it thoroughly. The more knowledge you have about how and why people think they way they do, the more success you’ll find.
- You don’t have to “sell out.” If you weren’t the right fit, do you want to be? Why or why not? Where are you the right fit? How can you get THAT work?
Life is ALWAYS teaching you what you need to know if you’re open to being taught. Make sure you are.
