"No work or love will flourish out of guilt, fear, or hollowness of heart, just as no valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now."
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"The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind. All men are prepared to accomplish the incredible if their ideals are threatened."
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"I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom."
Reply
"Propaganda is a soft weapon; hold it in your hands too long, and it will move about like a snake, and strike the other way. " Jean Anouilh
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“Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking”
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1. Why did you want to pursue this goal to begin with—and has anything changed?
2. Have you been operating with too much information?
3. Did you set a smart goal? SMART goals are:
4. What’s the worst that will happen if you keep going and don’t reach your goal?
5. Are you afraid of succeeding?
6. Are you acting on impulse or emotion instead of thinking things through?
7. Would you enjoy giving a loved one the honest explanation for why you gave up?
8. Would your life be better if you gave up on this goal?
9. How much have you already put in?
10. What would you tell someone else if they were in your shoes?
Reply
Does Pursuing A Career In Music Guarantee A Life Of Hardship? A Debate Rages.
Posted on August 2, 2012 By Greg
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Earlier this week Bonnie Hayes, a fantastic player and song writer from the Bay Area who had some success in the 80′s and continues to play, record and teach today, sent Bob Lefsetz the letter below in response to a post Bob wrote about how the current income divide has crushed the music business. In the letter Bonnie talks about how hard it is for musicians to make ends meet in today’s difficult economic times. The letter set off a huge debate within the Lefsetz community with people arguing that musician’s need to suck it up and just do whatever it takes to live the dream and people who sympathized with Bonnie’s point that it is nearly impossible to make a living as a musician today.
I’m publishing Bob’s original post titled Income Inequality Killed the Music Business and Bonnie’s response below as well as all of the responses that Bonnie’s email triggered and that Bob published in subsequent emails to his newsletter list.
Two of the bigger themes that emerged from the debate below are: 1. Does the current economic climate and the digital democratization of the music business make it nearly impossible to put food on the table with the earnings from a career in music? 2. Does a music education at a school like Berklee (where Bonnie teaches) pay off or it is a waste of time and money?
As far as I’m concerned: 1. If you are an artist and have the calling to make art then you’ll figure out how to make that happen regardless of the hardships involved. Regarding Berklee; I have no idea if you’re better off or not attending a school like this. I went to a two year community college and I have had a pretty good career without an MBA. If you are willing to put in the work, listen first then speak, be able to recognize opportunities when they arise, you’ll do okay.
There is A LOT to learn from reading the responses, lots of tips, ideas, inspiration, truth/bullshit, reality. This is a MEGA POST so be forewarned but the content of these emails is worth at least a couple of classes at Berklee and certainly worth the time it will take you to read them all and I hope whoever does read this consolidation of these posts comments here as well.
Reply
The highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity. Choose right over wrong, ethic over convenience, and truth over popularity.
Reply
"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts."
Reply
"One of the things I learned the hard way this weekend was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself."
Reply
Thesis / Blog
Thesis
"No work or love will flourish out of guilt, fear, or hollowness of heart, just as no valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now."
Reply
Thesis
"The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind. All men are prepared to accomplish the incredible if their ideals are threatened."
Reply
Thesis
"I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom."
Reply
Thesis
"Propaganda is a soft weapon; hold it in your hands too long, and it will move about like a snake, and strike the other way. " Jean Anouilh
Reply
Thesis
“Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking”
Reply
10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Giving Up on Your Dream!
1. Why did you want to pursue this goal to begin with—and has anything changed?
2. Have you been operating with too much information?
3. Did you set a smart goal? SMART goals are:
4. What’s the worst that will happen if you keep going and don’t reach your goal?
5. Are you afraid of succeeding?
6. Are you acting on impulse or emotion instead of thinking things through?
7. Would you enjoy giving a loved one the honest explanation for why you gave up?
8. Would your life be better if you gave up on this goal?
9. How much have you already put in?
10. What would you tell someone else if they were in your shoes?
Reply
Does Pursuing A Career In Music Guarantee A Life Of Hardship? A Debate Rages.
Does Pursuing A Career In Music Guarantee A Life Of Hardship? A Debate Rages. Posted on August 2, 2012 By Greg Reply Earlier this week Bonnie Hayes, a fantastic player and song writer from the Bay Area who had some success in the 80′s and continues to play, record and teach today, sent Bob Lefsetz the letter below in response to a post Bob wrote about how the current income divide has crushed the music business. In the letter Bonnie talks about how hard it is for musicians to make ends meet in today’s difficult economic times. The letter set off a huge debate within the Lefsetz community with people arguing that musician’s need to suck it up and just do whatever it takes to live the dream and people who sympathized with Bonnie’s point that it is nearly impossible to make a living as a musician today.
I’m publishing Bob’s original post titled Income Inequality Killed the Music Business and Bonnie’s response below as well as all of the responses that Bonnie’s email triggered and that Bob published in subsequent emails to his newsletter list.
Two of the bigger themes that emerged from the debate below are: 1. Does the current economic climate and the digital democratization of the music business make it nearly impossible to put food on the table with the earnings from a career in music? 2. Does a music education at a school like Berklee (where Bonnie teaches) pay off or it is a waste of time and money?
As far as I’m concerned: 1. If you are an artist and have the calling to make art then you’ll figure out how to make that happen regardless of the hardships involved. Regarding Berklee; I have no idea if you’re better off or not attending a school like this. I went to a two year community college and I have had a pretty good career without an MBA. If you are willing to put in the work, listen first then speak, be able to recognize opportunities when they arise, you’ll do okay.
There is A LOT to learn from reading the responses, lots of tips, ideas, inspiration, truth/bullshit, reality. This is a MEGA POST so be forewarned but the content of these emails is worth at least a couple of classes at Berklee and certainly worth the time it will take you to read them all and I hope whoever does read this consolidation of these posts comments here as well.
Reply
Thesis
The highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity. Choose right over wrong, ethic over convenience, and truth over popularity.
Reply
Thesis
"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts."
Reply
Thesis
"One of the things I learned the hard way this weekend was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself."
Reply