I came across this inspirational quote that I felt really speaks to musicians who are trying to make it in the music business.
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”
Why do you think this might be such a challenging thing to do for a musician?
Don’t we usually associate success with money and popularity, especially in the entertainment world?
It’s very rare that a musician becomes an overnight sensation. Of course, it does happen. But these overnight sensations are about as common as lottery winners. They also disappear just as quickly. Most musicians struggle for years. Most give up on the idea of making a living as a musician.
Those that haven’t given up can start to get desperate, though, as life goes on. No longer is it a matter of dreaming of what color Lamborghini to drive. It becomes more about how they’re going to pay rent. The desire for success can become merely about staying alive.
When this happens, the musician can only see what’s right in front of them. The ideals they once believed in suddenly are not as important as just making it through another day.
Value is a long term proposition. Value takes time to develop and establish. Value is depth. Value is having something meaningful to offer. Value stays around for a long time. Value challenges you to ask what you’re really in it for.
When I think of success, I think of how I’m doing. When I think of value, I think of how others are doing. In musical terms, success can mean CD sales and chart-topping songs. Did someone say Grammy? Value means striving to bring something meaningful to people’s lives. I think it means connecting with and impacting people.
You can have success without value, but you can’t have value without success.
Just some food for thought.
Oh, by the way, do you know who penned that quote? You’re not going to believe this.
Albert Einstein.
Yeah. Dude was brilliant.