No rewards for doing what you\u2019re supposed to do<\/strong><\/h3>\nWhen I originally heard this quote, I thought of Clint Eastwood. When you have a duty to perform, you just do it. Think Nike. Think Clint.<\/p>\n
This whole idea of needing praise is a sensitive topic though. I wonder sometimes why people need validation. When we were kids, we wanted our parents to see us make a big splash when we dove into the pool, or hear about our good grades in school. You see how it follows you into adulthood? I think when we do a particularly good job at something, we really wanna hear about it. I won\u2019t lie. If no one<\/strong> ever wrote me or downloaded my podcast – ever <\/strong>– I don\u2019t know if I could actually make it for this long. It is about growing in confidence and knowledge, and being heard. It is scary in the beginning but over time, as you get some validation, you become a bit stronger and want to forge ahead some more.<\/p>\nSo, is being told that your show is something people enjoy a reward? It kinda feels like one.<\/p>\n
Even in the sense of performing music – and this is hugely dependent on loads of factors – it could be a totally isolating thing, or the most intimate musical experience possible. I can\u2019t speak at all, and won\u2019t, to Brian\u2019s 26 years on the road with major pop acts like Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Babyface, Ginuwine, Madonna…and that\u2019s just the tip of the iceberg. But I can only imagine that what he knows about the \u201cbusiness\u201d is as close as it gets. And personally, I don\u2019t think I could ever do what Brian does. That man must have some serious armor built up around him. And ya know what? It isn\u2019t aggressive armor. I sense that he has never lost his sense of gratitude for what his life has provided.<\/p>\n
When gratitude becomes the reward, we can all sit down for a minute and calm down. When you have had the opportunities as Brian has, you’ve gotta do your job and be thankful that the responsibility is yours. You can feel very purposeful when you give yourself that lens to look through. Sometimes life will lay a little beat down here and there on you, but you know the lumps will pass over time.<\/p>\n
In the beginning, when things are scary and new to you, it is definitely helpful to have some encouraging words from your peers toward your efforts. However, if you have worked yourself into a professional role, you shouldn’t need to be complimented for the work that you are hired to do.<\/p>\n
Check out 27:56-30:56 in the podcast to hear what I’m talking about.
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Stop giving CPR to dead situations<\/strong><\/h3>\nHuman beings are notorious for not knowing when to pull the plug on stuff. When things aren\u2019t growing, being talked about, being purchased, and basically just earning a return, it\u2019s time to re-evaluate.<\/p>\n
I know that when you are the one invested emotionally, it can cloud your vision. You think it is a great idea or a great thing, or greatly needed. But it doesn\u2019t mean the market thinks so. Someone who knows what is gonna work just focuses on what numbers are saying about it. Either it is working or it isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
So, this might be the best checklist to cover when you decide to make a drum related video. Do I stand alone when I say that I am kinda bored of drum videos? Or whether I am or not, is it eventually going to be boring for the majority? I just feel that a lot of what I see isn\u2019t greatly needed. Sure it can be entertaining, have great fidelity, and maybe even send a good message. But have I heard it before? Have I seen it before? To me, it is looking like Groundhog Day.<\/p>\n
Now before I get tossed overboard, allow me to explain something. People want to be seen, right? People want to advance professionally? People want opportunities? Many people have a greater chance of advancing further into the industry through social media these days, right? Perfect…that means a lot of people will use social media to work to their advantage.<\/p>\n
Many will copy the earliest examples of innovation because it worked for the pioneers. Then that gets copied until someone else finds a way to evolve it, and then everyone starts copying that instead. And on and on it goes. See, what you wanna be is the person finding the things that will generate a lot of interest in your content. Maybe CPR isn\u2019t the trick to resuscitate it. Maybe you’d better get them defibrillator paddles over there instead!<\/p>\n
Know when something is a dead idea. And know when it may not be the thing you are doing that is wrong, but rather how it is being approached.
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