Doesn't feel like work (or I've forgotten)
2009-10-15
We've all heard that the career we should be pursuing is the one that doesn't feel like work.
Someone today asked me, “But of course there are times when you really have to do a lot of hard work to get a new business going, right?”
I thought about it for a long time.
I can't remember anything in my last 20 years of running my own business that really felt like hard work!
Was it hard work finding band members, scheduling rehearsals, or trying to book gigs in the college market? Not really. It felt like an extension of the creative process of making music.
Was it hard work answering thousands of CD Baby emails myself for the first few years? Not really. It was good to hear what people were thinking, what problems they were having, and felt great to solve them all.
I could see how these things would seem like hard work, but when it's your company or you're so filled with love for what you're doing, it doesn't feel like work.
Then I realized a good comparison (even though I'm not a parent):
Wiping someone else's baby's bottom feels like work.
Wiping your own baby's bottom doesn't feel like work.
On the other hand, they say women often remember childbirth as less painful than it really was, so maybe my brain is wired to forget the hard work, otherwise I'd never do it again.
That would be the ideal picture, Derek. Unfortunately, in my life everything still feels like work. That's why I read you. I wanna be like you. Be able to say that my work doesn't feel like work. Thanks for inspiring me.
Derek - I totally understand. Nothing, no matter how menial, ever really feels like work when it's about my band. Now if only I could find a job that would make me feel that way. Of course, maybe you've hit on the answer - maybe it has to be mine for it to feel that way. Does that mean everyone in the world should be an entrepreneur?
Father of three, I confirm that all this baby stuff that looks awful when you watch it from the outside is perfectly natural when it's your littlun. And indeed, the brain is programmed to erase or at least soften bad past experiences, a faculty without which we would not last long I guess...
Playing with my band = not work.
Hauling gear = work.
Exactly.
when it's your baby, your own garbage to throw out, your own garden to weed, you do it out of love or a vision for the future. if it is for others who don't appreciate what you're doing, then it is WORK, and more WORK. I like the baby analogy. it fits right in with CD Baby, eh?
Derek ..You have forgotten. You had many employees. Probably all who were creative souls. Put that mix together and it likely was fun, highly creative, but at times exhausting and therefore work!
I'VE OFTEN BEEN HEARD TO SAY THAT I'M HAPPY TO PLAY MUSIC FOR FREE, BUT I CHARGE BIG BUCKS TO CART MY GEAR AROUND! ONE DAY I'LL AFFORD A ROADIE.
I agree with you all.
Derek, this is so true when you have your own business. its like your baby, you nuture it, watch it grow, help it when it stumbles, see it through hard and good times, help it out with cash and loans then, as in the case of cdbaby, watch as it goes off into the sunset on its own new adventure - just like being a parent
Peace and love
As a mother of two Derek, I can tell you that the memory of childbirth is never as bad as it actually was. Running our own business though is more like bringing up the kids. It can be hard work and very frustrating, but hopefully worth it in the end.
i think you define hard work differently than me. what you refer to as hard work, i refer to as the annoying tasks that are less creative, but essential to success of your project/job. hard work IS difficult, but difficult doesn't mean it isn't enjoyable. there is most certainly a joy in solving problems and figuring things out.
I agree with Greg, though I don't mind hauling gear too much.
The real work is filling in tax exemption forms so our hard earned money isn't taken by California State or Canada (including what we "earn" to pay for all the airfairs!)
its like John Lennon (I think) said... Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. Life, work, school, marriage, struggles, failure, success, etc is either viewed as part of the journey to embrace or a burden to endure. In the end, this is the only life we have been guaranteed, and it is ours to learn from, to drive, to destine,to run from, or to embrace.
It's not like we can sit here and say "well, maybe next time..."
It's the relationship to the work that makes the difference. I've spent the last 2 years building a new business. Pretty much working 7 days a week for as long as I was awake. Were that a "real job" that I was doing for someone else I would have complained (and walked) 18 months ago. But because it was mine - I never thought much of it as being work...it was a charge. There was an excitement with each step.
It's akin to when you first meet the love of your life. You jump through hoops just to be with them...but it doesn't seem like an inconvenience at all because the payoff of being together is so satisfying.
As a kid watching a nature show, I always thought it was facinating that a lion would allow her babies to crawl all over her and bite her ears and such. They would devour any other creature who tried to do the same.
After having my own kids I completely understand.
While working for corporate America then owning my own buisness (of music) I saw the same type of tolerance in the work feild
(if you get my meaning in a few sentences)
I used to subscribe to this theory, but I've found for myself that everything I really love to do also has elements that I really don't like. So yes, I have to do things that feel like very hard work to get to the things that don't feel like work. For me, the music business side is a necessary evil, as is the loading in of equipment, but the actual playing and singing is always fun. I heard someone put it that your ideal career is one where you can put up with all the garbage that goes with it because you love the actual core of it.
I found the same is true of motherhood. I've found it to be very hard, exhausting work, but the love for my son makes up for all of it.
Very timely message for me Derek. I appreciate what you're doing. Thanks!
That's a great comparison - the baby butts. And what makes me sad is that so many people never feel that way, because they never pursue their own projects - either out of fear or laziness.
trying to make people care about the thing you're doing. that's work to me.
There's always work, but where is your focus?
If you're focusing on the outcome then the work is just a means to an end.
The key is finding an end that inspires.
If anybody says that being in the music business in 2009 isn't hard work,please let me know I want to work for them.I've been in this business for 35 years and It is very hard work.The love of music keeps one going but dealing with the way the business is these days-Is hard and frustrating. I'm sorry I don't agree with the Rose colored glasses aspect of it
I do love to play music-If that wasn't the end result-I'd be long gone
The past can always be improved. The future always promises something better! ...Its easy for someone like me to turn everything into work if im not carefull. Its hard for someone like me to write this next line... 'There IS enough time, enough money, and everthing i need i have right now.' The Universe has given me this moment and IT is the only one. Awesome!
Jesse's comment makes me wonder if, in a sense, we ARE all entrepeneurs, even when we work for someone else, if we just choose to see it that way.
still, i do find that the work i put in for my music, even the most mundane monotonous tasks, really does NOT feel like work. i look forward to the day when that is the only work i have to do to earn a living. it WILL happen. eventually.
This is true and it's one of the reasons why one ends up working so much, when it doesn't really "feel like hard work". But it's also tricky, because sometimes you believe in it so much, that you disregard or miss other things...Hope it makes sense.
Work is one of the foulest of the four-letter words in existence. You are correct. The things you love to do never seem like work.
Unfortunately, for the majority of us in the 'real world' with kids, homes, cars and all of the other societal trappings, cannot support our lifestyles doing fun things and must do that horrible thing called WORK.
I must admit, during the brief time that I worked for myself, I often worked 15+ hours per day and never minded it as I was working on what I loved and to build a business. But when that did not work out and I found myself back in the ranks of employees, most of the fun disappeared.
An now with the economy in the dumper things are even worse. There was a time when people would feel sympathetic if someone hated their job. Now people just say, “Well at least you have a job!”
I love to write stories and music and create art, but it doesn't pay the bills and since "I owe, I owe, Its off to WORK I go."
Hi Derek, What you say makes sense about the love of your life not feeling like work but there are still a lot of tasks involved and lots to manage, especially if you are starting a new business, like me and many that subscribe to you.I guess it's just how you approach those tasks that determine if you "love" the work or not.The stress level is not so high when you enjoy what you are doing.
I'll tell you what feels like work;
When you've got *excellent* musicians working for (with) you and a few of them don't get along. It's like being a parent again, but only they aren't your children.
This Derek is an excellent example of attitude. With the proper attitude and outlook, even the difficulites of running ones own business seem trivial. Approach and attitude make all the difference in the world!
I so enjoyed your post!
Well, I'm a boxer and I love to fight, it really doesn't feel like work, but I have to work hard to get in shape and then I'm punching and getting punched in the ring.
I meant I'm a musician (sorry, punch drunk)
Anyone that doesn't work hard or doesn't admit to working hard to "achieve" is just plain NOT WORKIN' HARD ENOUGH.
...sorry Derek..means you just haven't reached your REAL potential....
You keep workin' at it .... hehehe... you will...!
ps hey... someone really oughta work on an app for spell check in these blogs...make a fortune... lol
there's nothing you can do that can't be done, it's easy...all you need is love! still relevant!
addendum.... #32
I work REALLY hard.... do I LOVE what I do? YOU BETCHA.... 'n Derek... when ya do become a parent... hehehe...come back to this topic ... k?
sendin' ya much love...xo,
~rhonda
I must be wired wrong because I remember everything as it was. But - self discpline mixed with fierce loyalty sees me through rough patches. I wouldn't write off my work or a child because of unproductive periods. Ah...both of which might be caused by me being distracted by the other? Ooooh. Never mind. Tim Ferris will fix everything.
Derek,
i agree that all the things that go into putting together a show, from booking, to getting bands, to moving equipment, etc. is a wonderful part of the creative process. when i am in the present moment, setting up/breaking down my drums, for example, i feel grateful that i have good equipment that i get to play on and bring music to people. then the rewards (mental, emotional, and monetary) come from that mentality, and it isn't work. plus other people get to feed off that vibe, too and they like to have me play at their venues. great post.
Dave
In my current position at the CU it definitely feels like work because it isn't something that I'm passionate about (at all). In fact I'm trying to take your advice and take a major leap of faith out of the CU bubble. I've been comfortable for too long now and I'm ready to be uncomfortable and doing something I'm truly passionate about. My band on the other hand I am very passionate about and anything and everything that I do, whether it's rehearsing or hauling gear, it is fantastic because it's something that is mine and something that I have invested a lot of time and effort in.
My Work is Work
My Music is Life
I've started a few businesses in my lifetime and yes it was HARD work. Without the capitol gain that's needed, it's always going to be hard work. If you come from a family that has money, then starting a business or new career isn't that much of a big deal.
With money at your desposal, the only thing that may be hard is making time to be where you are to be to talk to people regarding your business, everything in between is a peice of cake.
I've had friends who were born into money and they had no problems starting up or even colapsing a business and restatrting a new one.
Starting bands is harder then you say Derek, most musicians want to be paid just to rehearse, then you hope they show up at a scheduled gig, many times one member won't show up, or call which leaves you looking like dumb shits on stage, and the club owner surely won't hire you again in the future.
Rehearsal time is expensive, I use to pay out all the money for 4 to 6 hours at a rehearsal room only for the band to fuck around with material we're not even doing. Everyone wants to show off and not get serious. Here in Philly, most musicians are a joke. No one takes any of it seriously. But by gawd, they'll bring their own beer or weed and then try to keep in tine "which is practicaly impossible."
So I disagree with you Derek, starting a business is indeed hard work without money at hand.
Hell I could have already been internationally famous years ago if I had the money I needed to get a huge production off the ground and be able to travel at a moments notice.
Being a disable combat Army veteran with talent for creating and recording my own music without the money needed is a waste of my time. Oh, it's good for me only, but others don't find what I do all that fantastic due to I don't have the money to record profesional tracks and then be promoted.
Then when I managed other artists who did have money, they'd chicken out and leave me hanging. Been through that about six times over the past 12 years.
I'm not whining, I'm just saying, without a lot of money at hand, your chances of being successful are very very slim.
Great analogy...musicians think of their song catalog in the exact same way...our little babies.Working as an independent musician for the last 10+ years has been a labor of love.Thanks Derek!
It's an interesting balance with art, love and work. Now I'm fortunate enough to have had a long career that enables me to make a good living from this industry, we toured around the world, have had top 10 hits and won several awards. Am I done yet? Not in the least. Did that all feel like work to me? In retrospect no, because I truely love what I do, but if I look back over the last few decades, and remember all the hard times as well, there definitely was a lot of work involved. Now I manage, write, produce, graphic design, market and book my group, so to say it's not a full-time job is an understatement, do I love it, HELL YA! Is it work, HELL YA! Does it seem like work, at times F@*k YA! So I Love it, but also feels like work and to be quite honest, without all the work I've done in the past, or am currently doing now, I would need another job that perhaps I don't Love, and that would feel like an unbearable 'work'. Is it so bad to have something you love feel like work? Not really, I look at my wife whom I love more than anything on the face of the earth, and our relationship was a lot of work, but so worth it. Life in general is work, but it's only meaningful if what you get out of that 'work' is beneficial to your mind, heart and soul. It's nice to lay in bed at the end of a super busy day, feel exhausted mentally and physically, but also feel more content than you did at the start of the day, now that's 'work'!
addendum... # 32... and # 34.... so... if anyone here wants a manager that will work really hard FOR and WITH YOU, in order to help YOU achieve YOUR goals... hey.. hit me up at...
www.myspace.com/simple22plan
MMMMhMMMM! lol
Wait, haven't you talked about there being things you really did not like doing and how you needed to find people to do those things for you, whether that be sales, marketing, business, etc.? It seems like there is a case of rose colored glasses here. I think that no matter how much you enjoy something, when it's all you do, it becomes work sometimes. I know when it's 9 o'clock at night and I'm dead tired and would rather watch a little TV, it feels like work to send out those emails, update the website or whatever, even though it's helping further my goals.
I think alot of it has to do with being your own boss. It's hard to hitch on to someone else's dream and do the work they need from you and have it not be work. But I could be wrong! I wonder how the cd baby employees felt/feel - is it hard work for them, or does the atmosphere, the company philosophy and workplace make it such that they're having as much fun and satisfaction as you were during those years...
I know I'm happiest doing the work that's on my own terms, where I'm my own boss, even if it's for a client as a consultant.
Derek, I am enjoying your writings coming to my inbox. My european tour w/band in september was grueling; I set the whole thing up myself, and we played ten shows in twelve days in four countries. But we loved it so much that we can't wait to go back. And, for the record, you're right about the baby analogies. love, c
Maybe it's success that makes it feel less stressfull. I know lots of women who have really hard pregnancy/births and the process feels really unsuccessfull and they remember all the pain. On the otherhsnd, if they feel successfully the pain is forgotten. So I do think the level of success one has is related to the level of pain one feels in the process
Derek, Your last statement is absolutely correct. Our brains are wired that way. That is why Homo Sapiens is still here. Women would not want to bear and men not want to fight the beasts.I loved Science but I lost my health a bit each time there was lots of pressure and conflict. I studied the problem and did many things to avoid stress. The best was to go deeply into Martial arts and its breathing and meditation.While still loving cutting edge science and winning contracts, I retired early. I have to constantly remind myself to avoid pressure. But this is very difficult when you are a charger and love what you do even in music and teaching Martial Arts. So, please remember, as we age we loose the ability to take pressure. And, this puts more pressure on us because we know we don't have a lot of time.
Island Frank
I always say that as a musician I have the best job in the world. I get to make people happy. I get to make people feel things.
Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is the key to living a happy and fulfilling existence.
Oh, Derek, it's because you don't have kids that you can think it isn't hard work to change a baby's diaper(if it is your own). Let me tell you, after changing thousands of diapers from when my 3 girls were little, it is hard work. It is exhausting work. When I see babies, I don't think "oh, I wish my girls were still babies". That was the hardest point in my life-diapers are disgusting, and lugging around a diaper bag is heavy work, and so is getting your child into a car seat and a stroller, etc. Now that my children are 19,16, and 12, I am having the time of my life with them-this is sooo easy compared to all that goes with the diaper brigade.
You are an eternal optimist, which is why we enjoy reading your blog. I have a husband who is also an eternal optimist, I love his great advice, and people around him become motivated by him. But, he can also be exhausting to be around-all of that energy and passion and positivity is a beautiful thing-and is why some people reach many summits in life, career wise and in general; but it can also lead others to feel somehow inadequate, or that we don't work as hard(even if we are giving it OUR all).
I am so glad for you that when you had to book your band, you thought that was easy-you are a very resilient person. I do booking for musicians, and it is very hard work. I love this job, and feel blessed to be able to do this work. I get to talk with people all over the country and Canada, and feel that I am helping to shape an artist's career. I love the networking, the festivals, conferences, music, creative people, etc. But, it is hard work!
Not to try to change anything about you Derek, because you are very inspirational. But, sometimes looking at things in a more realistic fashion, instead of idealizing the past, might make you even more accessible and lovable and relatable to your "fan base". Have an awesome day Derek
Although I enjoy the many varied things I do to make a career in classical music, some of those things reward me artistically and others of them I do to earn money. There's a difference.
You know Derek I totally agree with what you are saying. I know that some people hate music. For me I love music so much that I feel guilty when I think about making money from it. Music to me is a sacred gift from the LORD. In the bible It says you have been given much freely so give Freely. Thats why I have a hard time coming to grips with the money side of music.
Great observation Derek.
One of my favorite authors/poets, David Whyte - who I met and heard years ago at a lecture and who has been a tremendous inspiration to me, wrote a great book called: Crossing the Unknown Sea / Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity speaks to this (and to your reading non-music books post). A quote from that book has been one I keep close to me: "To have a firm persuasion in our work - to feel that what we do is right for ourselves and good for the world at exactly the same time - is one of the great triumphs of human existence." - David Whyte
And, another quote that I love is one that I saw on a stage sheet for a Third Eye Blind concert. I looked it up to find it is attributed to Buddha: "Your work is to discover your world, then with all your heart give yourself to it."
Your post made me think about these more deliberately this morning so...thank you!
This blog is starting to remind me of that SNL sketch
Coffee Talk with Linda Richman.
“Grape-nuts is neither a grape or a nut… discuss.”
No offense, but what do you really expect to gain from all this?
Please don’t take this the wrong way, but these topics seem more like intellectual masturbation rather than something that will further anyone’s career… especially yours!
Maybe you’re trying to keep your potential customer base in tack.
Maybe you’re trying to create a new business… a music service business that uses people from this blog?
Or are you just waiting out the clock until you can start selling CD’s and MP3’s again.
As you can see, I’m not the ego-stroking type… you’ve got plenty of those already.
I think you’re a great guy too, but enough wit da cawfee tawk!!!
How about using this blog to plan a business… right now!
I often speak lovingly about my work. My Wife (and others) think I PLAY music for a living.
We need to educate our audiences and venue sponsors to value and respect the work we put into this craft of entertainment.
I pose the question often; what will we do with this time to make it a peak experience for everyone involved?
WORK!?
When you feel you are choosing your labor, it's not really bad, no matter how much you sweat and stink and hurt.
When you feel forced, or put-upon, or underappreciated, or envious about other people, then it's bad, no matter what it is. Love, music, kids whatever.
I love work, cuz it's fun and I get paid. But I love my kids and honeybun more, and I don't get paid for them.
Hi Derek
It`s ok, when it feels like work sometimes, but it shouldn`t be always like that. Thanks for the baby picture. This is the main question: Is it your own baby or not? And if not, can you still share your creativity and do you have space to develop own ideas and visions? If not, it`s better to leave that job and find something better, a job where people tick like you and have the same or at least a similar feeling about life.
Cheers
J.D.
Amen Derek,
Having a new baby as we speak, I concur with your baby analogy. Likewise with bringing your passion to the world and creating a successful business from it. The thing for me sometimes is that doing the job of mining for new clients or business opportunities by sending emails, songs, engaging in social networking forums,etc. doesn't really feel like work at all. It's what I need to do to get out my message. What does test you I think is having the patience to realize that, sometimes, it takes time for your efforts to bare fruit. That to me is the hard work: patience and perseverance.
What is work?
Have you noticed the "Opus" numbers used in much "classical" music (especially of the 19th century)?
That "Opus" comes from the Lain word "opus" which means "work" -- usually in the sense of "a work of art."
So "work" can be thought of as the end result of effort, rather than the effort itself.
In the latter case, what then distinguishes "hard work" from "hard play"?
We talk about "playing music."
We also talk about play as "leeway" or free movement -- as in the amount of "play" in a steering wheel.
Perhaps, then, what is objectionable to the human spirit is both 1) the notion of too much "rigidity" within which our efforts take place and 2) when extensive effort produces no satisfying results.
Mirriam Webster says that our word "effort" comes from Old French: esforz, esfort, from esforcier (to force), from ex- + forcier (to force).
Interesting, too, that a search for "Effort" in Wikipedia redirects to the article "Energy."
The question is, then: How do we apply our energies in life so that we achieve satisfying results in a manner which feels like play, so we achieve happiness through our work? (Not less effort exerted, but our responses to exerting it.) Would one call that "success"?
P.S.: So I don't think so much "forgetting" but reaching a degree of "satisfaction" with where efforts have brought us makes the work seem less "hard" in our memory.
Amen. My boy, Kai, is now 21 months.
As strange as it may sound, we began early with ritual regarding 'the diaper change'... it's only love, caring... for me, it's as if I'm changing my own. (it's also good time for songwriter fodder.)
Life begins at 37 and life is good.
Keep sharing Derek,
peace-
seanrox
Derek, I read your postings because, as an eternal optimist myself, your spirited musings concerning the unlimited potential and possibilities that exist for musicians/artists tend to reflect the essence of my own soul. As a professionally successful percussionist, how else would I charge up my motivational drive, if not through my own optimism?
I have, likewise, already read most of the motivational and business/marketing books that you list and continue to further my inquisitive mind, currently pursuing another college degree.
However, on the real side, rejection is rampant in the life of an artist, specially when one is trying to get his act off the ground and eventually flying. It takes a thick skin to keep believing and surging ever forward and this involves self-motivation (...work?). And, while I believe that the old adage, "If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life" is a good motivational phrase, the many different facets of one's art which are ultimately manifested in the performance of such for an audience do involve work and effort and dedication and discipline.
And...right - when you ran CDBaby, after the first year, you could count on a paid staff to assist you with the work of keeping your business successful. Many artists have to do everything for themselves, which takes away a lot of valuable time from their first and foremost passion and reason for being: their art!
To cut it short,this time the thoughts that you share about "...never having felt like you worked at all during the development of your former company" feel a bit self-righteously smug, as if today, you are preaching from your comfortable millionaire position, telling the millions of struggling musicians/artists that, "It's so easy! Why aren't you in the same position as I am? It must be your own faulty mindset!"
While I usually find your musings inspirational, I think that your post today is very insensitive and fraught with a concealed callousness. Too bad...
Sometimes it seems like work to wipe my own bottom.
reading that was a lot of work.
It must have been hard work Derek, because it burned you out and caused you to sell your business. Moral of this story, pace yourself!
Regarding the playing/hauling equipment not work/work issue. It seems like work because you do not realize you have chosen to haul your equipment. You have enslaved yourself to the concept that it is something you have to do. You don't have to do anything; you only choose to think that you have to do it.
You haul your equipment because you love to use it to perform, to make your music with it. You have chosen to haul it but refuse to admit your choice or own your responsibility for that choice. As such, you deem it to be something you have to do -- which makes it seem like work.
Releasing yourself from the enslaving concept that you have to do stuff is the key to making it not seem like work, and letting yourself enjoy it for the play that it really is.
I'm not quite "rolling on the floor" with laughter, but I'm definitely smiling!
The analogy with baby butts really is perfect, Derek, except that you forgot (or possibly never knew) that the real joy of changing a baby's diaper is seeing the real and tangible results of making one little portion of the world a better, sweeter smelling place AND of being able to smoochy kiss that squirmy little fun factory on the belly button when you're done.
But boy, was Cindy right when she said that changing thousands of diapers is hard work!
Anything repetitive that you can't get away from, that absolutely has to be done before you can do anything else IS hard work.
YOU were able to have fun with the "work" because you were the boss AND could see the cause and effect of the good work you were doing right away. (Being able to change tasks when you wanted was another perk of being the boss). Also, you're fortunate in that you've got a problem-solving mentality. Rather than an insurmountable barrier to achieving what you want to be achieving, you seem to view problems as a nifty puzzle to solve. So every day at "work" is another opportunity to solve puzzles and celebrate other people's accomplishments.
All the way around, it's your attitude I'd like to emulate. If I could just learn to view all the bits and pieces of "stuff" that keeps getting in my way as part of the puzzle that I'm quite capable of solving, I might find the whole process a lot more fun; maybe even rewarding.
Fun is good.
It is all about attitude and perception. I think the reason you were successful is because of the positive attitude which is contagious especially with fans, employees, and customers. They will emulate you. Work must be fun or it turns in to drudgery and much less gets accomplished. The other thing you are good with is being consistent.
So true. Composing new music does not feel like work. Leading people in Praise and Worship does not feel like work. It is fun and inspiring and it takes me to a higher plane. Thanks, Derek.
Dear Derek,
We have a favourite saying in OZ, "Up The Workers" I walk aisles in the supermarket. See over 50s former accountants etc. Made redundant by some 21 year old know-all with 40 years experience. There they are,stacking shelves, even working the jewish piano at the check-out. I yell it out and they laugh. I am in my seventies, when I am playing they often come up with a smile and yell it out to me. Can't buy happiness, you work for it.
Hmmm. I think I disagree. When I'm on top form and really in the flow - That's when it doesn't feel like work. When I'm trying to get back in shape after a little while away.. that's work. Or to be disciplined enough to run through some sets or get some recording in after a 8-10 hour day supporting myself at a day job. That's work for sure. But the thing that makes me do it is the love for sure. - and it sure beats changing someone's kids diapers - which I have also done plenty of.
Over the years I have been offered fabulous jobs, what would have seemed dream jobs, but it always came down to would I be doing it to follow THEIR dream or follow my OWN. I've taken some, turned down others, and have tried to always stay true to my own vision and ethic. I work my tail off for my own business but it doesn't seem a burden (usually) and I love knowing in my heart that I'm doing what I need to. Thanks, Derek. I've followed your work for years (met you at a few conferences) and read your blog with interest. Peace, Cathy
One of the reasons what we do is called "The Music Business" is because IT IS a "BIZNESS". There are core elements...creating the music and performing it...refining the artistry...lugging gear...marketing...and more marketing etc with a myriad of details in between.
We all come to this BIZ with different skill levels, energy levels, tolerance/frustration levels for the more challenging elements which lie outside our comfort zones. We have day jobs/night jobs/no jobs, family responsibilities and a host of personal, health, social, or economic issues that IMPACT our ability to do our warm musical fuzzies.
"The Work Factor" usually comes when we're operating outside our comfort zones...we're tired...or both.
How do we expand our comfort zones?
Sometimes when we've hit the wall and are tapped out....One of the most sensible things you and I can do is STOP....and go for a bicycle ride until a new wave of endorphins kick in and refresh the outerlimits/edge of our comfort zones.
"Follow Your Heart.....Music"
p.s.
Here is a quote by Lyn Christian that has been taped to my computer for a number of years.
"Follow Your Heart. Any other path leads to someone else's dream."
When you see the results of your hard work you are so proud and euphoric you quickly forget how much hard work went into it.
Your analogy with having a baby and taking care of your own child is good...I speak from experience both on the music front and the baby front.
Ok enough reading. I gotta get to work.
Cashing that big check don't feel like work to me!
Being creative until 6am (like yester-night), getting little darkness-sleep... don't feel like work to me 'cause I'm loving what I do and I'm doing what I love.
Drinking that big cup of Joe with fresh raw cream (not the pasteurized commercial stuff from grain-fed animals) after a long, long night of burned midnight oil don't feel like work to me!
Intentionally mispelling "doesn't" to "don't".... doesn't feel like work to me, but I like it.
Anyway, perhaps I do need more rest!!!
Just the other day I caught myself grumbling, "I HAVE to go to work" out of habit. I stopped and remembered that I am self employed and get to pick what jobs I take (my rule is that it must be fun and creative and for good people).
I then started saying, "I GET to go to work." and for as long as I remembered to say that, it changed everything.
Sometimes I believe, it is how we think of things - half empty, half full. Awful rainy day - beautiful rainy day.
Thanks Derek.
By the way... what's happening to Muckwork? We could use it now!
Chop wood, carry water.
In general, I get the idea, Derek. However, when you call your band members (5 phone calls) to find out their availability for rehearsal, than calling a studio to find out what time they have available, then calling band members again (5 more phone calls) only to find out that the circumstances changed (one of the band members can't make it on that particular day and that particular time...) You know, it can get really frustrating. All I'm trying to say, I guess, is that some aspects of the process do feel like some tedious routine, especially when dealing with people. Now I understand what managers / administrators get their money for (I wish I had one!
)
However, as I said earlier, I feel the same way you do for the most part.
Now that I'm re-tiered, I've been fortunate enough now to be able to pursue my art and music which has always been my passion, but something I had to put on the back burner all the yrs working and having to make a living, because I never followed through getting an education when I was younger and thought I knew it all. I believe that G-d gives each us talents in which makes us happy doing if find out what those talents are and go after exercising them in our life's career. Had I had my act together when I was younger, I would have gotten my education and become an art & music instructor.
Reff:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2017:10&version=NIV
for some people life is "work".
i was almost crippled for a year,
back damage so bad that i had two moments wwhere i might of done away with my body.
PAIN THAT WAS ALMOST A CONSTANT TORTURE.
MY DOG OSCAR DELLA DOGGIE was/is my guardian angel. his enthusism for living & his humor & sweet kindness motivated me to live and to do activities instead of taking pain pills that knocked me out.
several times in the park i couldn't move at all, people would ask if i needed an ambulance. it was so bad.
because i have an interesting speaking voice i got hired by an independent label to work the phones. i made calls laying on my stomach upon a sleeping bag and pillows. any other position and movement spelled PAIN.
our, bie records, gifted artist MICHELLE FLOWERS made the BILLBOARD gospel chart in our first six months of operation.
radio stations, managers, promoters, the cleveland library, wholesellers called us because of her songwriting & vocal delivery.
it got me back in the music biz.
FINALLY i went to a new physical therapist and he gave me a fairly simple exercise that got me walking and almost pain free.
my life was renewed.
my part time job is tedious & menial but i make it a game, a blessing, it keeps me floating & feeds my new dog OSCARBOY.
last year the mayor of allentown,pa
(third largest city in pennsylvania) presented me (& the amazing gloria) with a declaration
making december 1, 2008 "lehigh valley music awards day".
i created the lvma without any money while i was hardly able to walk at times, with pain as a constant part of my days & nights.
MUSIC & WILLPOWER & A LOVING DOG
MADE IT HAPPEN.
then amanda & gloria came into my life, along with other helpful & giving persons.
lvma 11 is the music buzz word in the lehigh valley.
bright musical ways
ian the being
One thing's for sure: in every band where some of the players are having the time of their lives and not "working" there are one or more others who are working very hard, long hours making that possible.
T.
Derek,
I'm totally in touch with this. People have been telling me that I should be teaching music for about ten years. I was always reluctant because even after more than 20 years of playing I still consider myself learning.
A little over a year ago I finally started taking on students and within a couple months it became my sole income. Ever since then I have never thought of myself as having a job or going to work. I love teaching and I love music, that makes all the difference.
"Was it hard work finding band members, scheduling rehearsals, or trying to book gigs in the college market? Not really. It felt like an extension of the creative process of making music."
Royal pain in my ass! Must have went pretty smoothly for ya...
"Was it hard work finding band members, scheduling rehearsals, or trying to book gigs in the college market? Not really. It felt like an extension of the creative process of making music."
Royal pain in my ass! Must have went pretty smoothly for ya...
That's what causes people to always try to get you to "slowdown, take a break,get some rest, what are you working so hard for,and not understanding that this is what a person does, who have a passion for the work that they do, but it's not hard!
I don't agree with the emphasis. I think the factors that determine whether or not someone perceives their current situation as hard (work, etc) have more to do with big-picture, life-view factors and less to do with the tasks at hand. "Love for what you are doing" doesn't seem to be the fundamental core. "Do what you love to do" is too superficial a mantra, people never make it there. I think it is a step deeper - "Be in love or in-sync with the process of life"
So, the take-away question for this post to me is "How do we setup or lives or world-view so that we handle all of the hard tasks with pleasure?" It's not how we think we should as the notes from the link to Stumbling on Happiness show.
Just like someones junk is someone else's treasure. sometimes work for some is play to others. Are you playing music or are you working music? It's a matter of perspective isn' it?
If your a BADASS you live to play, and otherz work ridiculously hard to try to copy you....
Ian Bruce has my respect. Music, willpower and a loving dog. Some people are just powerhouses of positive energy, taking any excuse to LIVE.
Derek,
They say no pain no gain.Music is painless and creating it is a joy,no matter how many hours and years we dedicate our time to it.We pursue it relentlessly free of choice and with no guarantee,hoping that it bears the fruits of our labour.When i've got to go to work to pay my bills and eat,i still think of making music.That's when it hurt's most, when i know i can't do it full time.
Playing in, managing and booking a very busy band is basically my full time job.
I love what I'm doing, and maybe 70 percent of the time, you're right, it doesn't feel like work.
But there's still that remaining 30 percent, and there's no getting around it, there is HARD WORK to be done.
There are times when I'd rather hang out with my buddies or watch a movie than send booking emails. There are certainly times when I'd rather be home with my girlfriend than playing that Monday night bar gig in Ohio.
But you put in the hard work because when it comes down to it, it's more than worth it to do what you love.
I love been around the creative process.
In this instance, I'm enjoying watching you continue to grow as you try to help others to continue to grow. For as long as we live, we learn and continue to grow. Thank you for including me in on the privilege.
"The First Key" © B.Pasley 2002
(from "Realizations" / Poetry & Writings Of A Depressed Urban American Minority Poet)
A HUMAN BEING IS LIKE A PLANT
WHEN A PLANT STOPS GROWING, IT DIES
AND WHEN A HUMAN BEING STOP LEARNING
HE OR SHE DIES
BECAUSE LEARNING IS KNOWLEDGE
AND KNOWLEDGE IS WHAT MAKES A HUMAN
BEING GROW.
I've actually noticed the phenomenon you describe when I engage in work that is interesting but not my passion. That seems counterintuitive. Maybe it isn't weighted with carrying my heart in its hands and so it can simply be play. Of course, after a certain point, I realize this isn't feeding my soul, so why the hell am I doing it, etc. But for that certain period of time, it feels good.
I also noticed it when I was doing a project as a group effort. Which begs the question why I am not a band instead of a solo artist ...
This is all very good reading. Derek, I think when you've had enough of this blog, you should publish the whole series for all of us so we can buy it to keep. I personally think that everything is work, but I enjoy work, and that shows my good attitude. Whether I'm writing a song or playing and singing at a gig, or whether I'm working at a different business of my own, or working for an employer as an employee, (all of the above for me right now), I am enjoying it and I am enjoying living. I also find that we always forget the struggles, we forget the frustrations, when we are doing something we love. All good things take effort, it's good to have money, and it's real nice to have something to show for it. You have made CD Baby what it is, and have helped all of us musicians attain our dreams. So, take the time to enjoy your accomplishments, and get ready for the next big thing that you will create.
I think about all of the large IT projects I've worked on for my day job career: the ones that I have been fully invested in and have enjoyed during the entire life cycle did not feel like hard work, yet some of them required a staggering amount of "hard work" as noted by my peers and executive management.
The same holds true for my music ventures: None of it feels like 'work', even when I'm down to the wire on deadlines for contests, contract work, or mixing/mastering deadlines for publishing other peoples' work: All of that 'stuff' requires long hours, creative process, critical thinking, and hard work... but it doesn't feel like hard work.
I love music and I can work for it for hours, days, months and even by getting not much sleep. But do you know when it feels like work? When something this important to you and something you dedicated your years to, is not understood or is not appreciated "enough". This is what makes me sad and makes me say: "but I worked for it, too much" because you know if you put those hours in anything else in life, it'd pay off in a much better way.
I think of songwrighting ... Those songs that have taken me years to write. I've cursed at them, set em aside for a few months, and finally picked them back up and finished them. While playing them now I don't think about all that went into the crafting of them or the frustrations they have caused me. I simply enjoy them and love singing them.
Derik,
First.
I apologize for posting unnecessary responses on your blog in the past. I realize this forum should be used for thoughtful and introspective dialog.
Second.
I am a teacher in a high school, I would not be able to face another day in the classroom if I didn't agree your thoughts on this topic. I wrote the following quote on my About Me page this year...
"Teaching is not my job, it is my life. I don’t feel like I am working when I am working my hardest. This is my opportunity to try to make a difference and to contribute the greater good. Teaching is an art and a skill. I view myself as an artist. I enjoy practicing and improving my art. I hope it shows in my daily pursuits".
Part of the reason I feel like this, (and maybe why you do also) is I created my own teaching situation and tailored my classes to suit my interests and personal needs.
Then I get to share my passion with my students. The in turn seem to relate well to the class and to me.
I would not try to teach a subject I have no interest in. I would dry up and die from boredom and disfunction.
The key is that I love what I do because I followed my bliss. That is why I love playing music as well. Teaching is much the same, since I get to do the very things I enjoy everyday.
And I get paid for it.
Third.
I almost threw up every time I changed my son's diapers but I did it anyway.
We choose to sacrifice for the things we love the most because we value outcome and deem the sacrifice as worthy of the effort.
Music, teaching, relationships, family etc. all have metaphorical diapers to change.
I remember stepping in dog...stuff...in Paris. Had I known that it was there, I'd have walked around it. My companions and I laughed then, and laugh about it to this day. We always have the choice of seeing the...stuff...of life as opportunity or funny; work as well. If we don't we usually have the option to change our work.
I think it might be true for a limited time that one's profession might not seem like "work" when it is also one's passion. But give it time. I have been a full-time musician for more than 20 years. I still completely love what I do, and feel incredibly lucky to have managed to create a decent, mid-level career for myself as a freelance musician. But it is also extremely hard work to generate an adequate annual income on an ongoing basis, year after year. If I was under contract with the New York Philharmonic, or a rock star, maybe I’d feel differently… but I am probably a more common example of what it takes to be a pro player long term. I work my butt off to support myself. And I am proud to be good (and unusual) at what I do. Do I wish I could just do the fun creative stuff? Of course! Even though I find much of the business end to be interesting and stimulating, I'd hire help in a nanosecond if I could afford it. Musicians like me are one-person operations. I am the mail clerk and the president. I’d rather stick to president work, if you don't mind, but that’s not the reality. However the creative rewards and the lifestyle (quality music, fun tours, etc) involved make it worthwhile for me. I also feel there are pros and cons in all jobs after a while, it's just a part of life. And I suspect that if it doesn’t feel like work after a while, then I wonder how long you’ve really been doing it. By the way, working hard and persevering to accomplish what you love also feels good.
I suspect that you not feeling the hard work is more a testament to you than to people in general. People should emulate how you look at things. The hard part comes with the good stuff, if we expect it and understand its importance we fell it is less burdensome.
I'm bewildered by the number of people who say they disagree. What that tells me is that they don't understand what Derek is saying, not that he's wrong.
If you're still doing stuff you don't like in your business, that doesn't mean Derek is wrong, it means *you're doing it wrong.*
Don't like hucking your gear to a gig? Why haven't you found some strong guy who loves music but doesn't get out enough, someone who'll haul your stuff because it's good exercise and they love music? They'll huck that big stack in and *thank you* for 'inviting' them.
After while, I started enjoying the load-in and load-out as time to ponder the upcoming gig, or do a post mortem. Up 'til then, though, I found someone who loved loud music and wanted to be around musicians who did all the heavy lifting for the entire band.
And I didn't even try that hard.
If you're still doing stuff in your business that you don't like, *you're doing it wrong.*
And if you genuinely believe that there is no way around it, I'd love to hear your side of it. Honest.
When I take anything out of myself and give it to the world, love, music, great ideas I've followed through on, my son, it comes so simply. It's the things outside of myself that don't align with who I am that feels like work. I always try to search myself to identify with people and tasks that don't seem to resonate with me for that reason.
Derek,
Apologies for misspelling your name (Derik).
One more thought.
I have been teaching for 21 years. I still love it as much ever. It took me seven years to learn how to love it. During my 5 first years as of teaching I wondered how anyone could retire after 30 years in this profession.
I takes determination, commitment and an investment of "self" or maybe "selflessness" to get to that level of content. it is necessary to be very good at what you do before you can "love" what you do.
Substitute marriage for work and apply the same concept.
Ah, yes... Every nickel I make is from my involvement with music. Forty-four years playing and performing, private teaching on any instrument, a degree in Ethnomusicology, a Ph.D in Historical Musicology. I had a radio show on a college station for two years. I own a house full of instruments, an enormous record/CD collection, and enough of a life lived to cause some mild recognition in a small part of the world. I have been abandonded by some of the best women on this Earth and lived in near-poverty most of my life. Yeah, it's work... but it's MY work. --JH
Yeah, when I'm working on music in the studio, I can go HOURS without taking a break for eating and then make up for it afterwards by having a big dinner. But when I was programming SOMEBODY ELSE'S database at my last job, I pretty much always had lunch around noon and snacks a couple hours on either side of noon without fail. Sometimes I'd forget about the snacks but because I was so into what I was doing but that would be rarely. I just goes to show that when you're doing what you love, you can be really focused and it's actually more enjoyable than "work". But, like you alluded, not just doing what you love but also the question of ownership comes into play here.
I've never had a real job in my life, I wish I could get a job but I'm not qualified, plus I need at least 500k per year just to pay my basic overhead.
I've been spending a lot of time working on this problem.
YES! YES! YES, Derek. I love what I do even when it seems like it should be difficult or frustrating. I see everything as part of the creative process. I've been putting this show together for the past month here in Seattle and it's been a joy every step of the way even when I take a few steps back. It's all a learning process in addition to a creative process. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Pamela Mortensen
D~ I find joy in the smallest of tasks I perform on a daily basis when it serves the needs of those who seek my help. It has been my path of least resistence. The 'work' comes when I pursue individual desires that are not in line with the common good of others. A change in perception may be the key for me. Your Sera
Derek,
Great thoughts. I don't usually
schlep equipment these days, but
I remember how my band used to make a game out of it. We tried to see how quickly and efficiently we could load in or out. I guess it's all in how you look at it and if you enjoy being with the people in your life.
Thanks,
Rick
Sometimes it can be one of those love hate relationships, that are just to damn exciting to stop!!!!
Women don't remember childbirth accurately because the body explicitly releases hormones to modify the mood and memory of the extreme pain.
Otherwise, every mom might have post traumatic stress disorder.
I haven't read the other comments yet, but have to ask about the corollary:
Does this mean if it starts to feel like hard work that's a sign we should move on to or look for the next thing?
Not necessarily. Read “The Dip” by Seth Godin. It says the biggest rewards come after the hardest parts. -- Derek
Derek,
I'm a 100% self-employed, sole support single mother. Music is at the heart of all the facets of my self-created job that I love to do.
I even love doing the online marketing aspects of it.
But making phone calls to people who never pick up the phone or answer their voice mails... trying to book myself into appropriate venues where my traditional Native American values are respected... like someone else mentioned, dealing with losing 30% of my income because the gig happened to be in California... dealing with the way CDBaby now treats its customers... all that stuff is for the birds!!!
Honestly, I'd like to give all of that (and frankly ALL of my business admin tasks) up in a heartbeat if I could somehow find the resources to do that.
What I REALLY don't find work is singing, giving sound/energy healing sessions, mentoring/empowering women and young women to find their voice using drumming and singing, giving performance/talks and getting in the studio with my producer to create more amazing music.
Having said that though, I'll also say that I think the benefits of being able to be fully self-employed doing something I'm proud of and excited about sort of makes the other stuff seem less challenging.
But then, that's why I'm anticipating hearing about your Muck Work service, Derek. I'm hoping to hand over all the stuff I don't want to do - to people who love doing those tasks - so I can do much much more of what I truly love.
Peace,
Medicine Song Woman Brenda MacIntyre
Derek,
Thanks for this post. I'm working on my own blog post about exactly this topic. "How to make sure things don't turn into work." It seems to have a lot to do with keeping my perspective on the activity an internal one, rather than letting it become something I'm doing to meet others expections- whether or not those others are family, employees, fans or band-mates. An interesting challenge.
Sometimes I feel that it is a lot of hard work to continue in the business. Then I will think its okay. I do not want to have a 9 to 5 working for people who do not really appreciate me. Those people get most of the perks. I getting more perks now even though I loved my job in the Accounting Department. I get to travel in states I could only dream of. I do not want to change, so Derek thank you for reminding me of the work I do to stay with the game.
So even 'muckwork' wouldn't feel like work to somebody. I use my internal compass when I remember to, but my programming about having to do things myself, or insisting that they get done now still takes over.
The hardest I've worked that was the most rewarding has been writing songs, poems and short stories. Achieving excellence has so been worth the rigor.
But I still have little passion for promotion. I put energy into it, adjust my attitude, and make it as creative and fun as possible, and try to avoid much work for little results.
Getting smarter has to be the answer. Having a comprehensive guerrilla marketing strategy, and executing it; doing the niche work.
Effort, not struggle?
First of all, I love what Max Bunyan said earlier in this conversation - that was great, and I totally agree - well said
Derek, I think that a lot of how we respond to things has everything to do with our perspective...if we look at the end goal of what we are focused on accomplishing, then we are more able to adapt ourselves and change any resistant attitudes so that we don't seem to mind work that might in other circumstances strike us as hard, undesireable and difficult. Many times I think we're too self-centered and only see what we're experiencing as opposed to seeing the bigger picture and how we affect that bigger picture. Anything that is worth anything in life requires our willingness to invest of ourselves into it with some type of focus and effort.
I loved your analogies compared to taking care of the grunt work of parenting your own versus caring for someone else's child, as well as highlighting a mom's experience with delivering a child, because they are wonderful examples...very true!
I personally don't like setup/teardown during gigs and prefer the social networking, admin prep sides as well as performing and the creative sides to the music business...but it is a necessary thing, just like all of us having to clean our own bathrooms once they get too dirty and we want to have a clean and pleasant place to be, you know (lol!)...
I think what will bother me more than anything though is when something is being done harder instead of smarter...that's when it seems more like work to me.
One more thought - I appreciate your point that you brought up, because it's causing me to pause, and evaluate what actually does motivate me within my work - so that it doesn't seem like work and I can know that I will be happy doing it for the longhaul
I don't think it's helpful to get locked into an either/or mindset about it:
work/not work
The contractor who trained me used a phrase I still use when something becomes really laborious:
"too much like work"
It always makes people laugh.
There's always "work", but there's a full spectrum from easy (doesn't FEEL like work) to hard (FEELS like WORK!)
When I was an Artist Manger the "work" of it was the calendar updates, and negotiating on their behalf, the fun of it was giving the artists the tools, support and encouragement to BE their art, use their gifts and talents. Now that is all I do as a life coach.
this exact concept is pretty much a major theme in every album we release - google "Vocoder Citadel Manifesto" if you like to take chances -
I'm one of the lucky few who actually makes a (modest) living doing art. I put in my time when I was young and it finally paid off .
Of course it feels like work physically at times when I'm putting in long hours but inspiration balances it all out. Without inspiration though, who would want to make art? I've also felt with experience- the inspiration is increasing and creating artwork is less frustrating as I just basically know what I'm doing more and the product is closer to my standards. Less frustration, less work!
Well, back to 'work...'
Working each day in the studio and helping artists do their best in making a good album is fun time.
Getting paid for your efforts is Work.
The 2 times i spent 7-10 days in a row, in a studio, 12 hours or more per day, recording an album did not feel like work, though it was hard going. My usual 12 hour days do.
Maybe it's responsibility. The outcome of the studio days mainly affect me and no-one else.
Thanks for the great thoughts ... again!
But why is it the word "work" is used negatively so many times (you're not the only one)? When I choose to be a professional musician/producer/labelmangager/whatever, these things are my work, while going for a bike ride or else isn't. But that doesn't mean that I don't like to make music, even though it is work. And also hard work can be fun, when you go to bed completely exhausted but happy, knowing that you've just achieved something great by giving everything. Know what I mean?
Even if you accomplish your personel dream job, after awhile, it gets boring. Playing in the dream band, playing the dream(your own) music, you end up playing your own cover songs. Its not necessarily loving what you do, but loving as you do it.
I'm always surprised by people who don't know that it isn't that difficult to control your state of mind. Some people are born with it, some people's parents teach it to them. But everyone has the capacity to change what they think about any given subject.
So when it comes to business, I agree it CAN be hard, but only if you tell yourself it's hard. If you want it to be easier, ask yourself why you're addicted to labeling your work as hard?
A funny thing happens when you tell yourself you're happy... IT ACTUALLY HAPPENS. Same thing goes for telling yourself that life is easy, or uncomplicated.
But not everyone is going to clue into this, nor would I want it for every person. Some people need to defend their right to label their life as "hard."
Personally, I'm gonna keep hitting the easy button.
I'm curious though... at some point, did it start to feel like work for you? CD Baby? is that maybe part of why it was time to let it go? that maybe when something start to feels like work, it's time to reevaluate. (...of course, this wouldn't apply to ones actual birth baby...!) ;-)
Near the end it started feeling like my employees were my boss. The relationship between us got flipped upside down. And yeah that's when I lost enthusiasm, maybe because it wasn't mine anymore, or maybe that was coincidence and it was really just because I had hit the end of my vision. -- Derek
I'm not a parent either, but I'll extend the analogy.
Most parents will probably tell you that wiping their own baby's bottom isn't nearly as annoying. However, I bet at least some will add that it's not their favorite part of parenting either. They didn't decide to have kids so they could experience the joys of changing dirty diapers.
At 3 in the morning, I bet it feels at least a little bit like work.
Hey Derek.
This is definately all about perspective. Obviously there are things in life that take more time, but if you think that what you are investing your time in is relevant and purposeful, this is the key.
I think for most of us we all want to work hard for what we believe is what we were meant to accomplish in this life. If we labor and see no point to it, then we short change our world view.
I am sure we have all along the way worked at things that we didn't care to do, but I love the baby analogy picture. To me, it depends on your perspective again. If you believe in adoption, then that again is another perspective.
Perspective...
Contemplate and maybe change?
You lead a charmed life, Derek.
Is it hard scheduling rehearsals? Yes! I can either go to the guitar player's house, 2 hours away, or the drummer's, full of stinkin' cats that want to scratch up my amp, or mine, where there's no room. Don't even get me started on that thing I do for 8 hrs./day to pay the bills. And that's why....thasssss's why I sing the bluuuuues...
...oh, yeah, and, shit stinks no matter whose it is.
At the risk of being too literal...
I don't know that it's love that makes the difference...it's more to do with just caring and responding to need. This isn't a very dramatic form of 'love' but it still matters.
I work with four disabled guys and part of that 'work' requires personal care ... which is a 'nice' way of saying washing bottoms 'as needed'.
I do it with the best grace that I can muster and they allow it with better grace.
It's - distasteful - and was much the same when my child was a baby however - like many tasks - you do it properly and at the appropriate time and move on.
As to differentiating between work and play .... maybe I'm getting older but the line gets blurred between tasks, endeavours and just 'great fun.'
I rise from sleep and have energy which needs be used ... creatively.
Call it work or play - the energy gets used or I start to feel a little 'out of kilter'.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Derek, stay in touch
Labor makes the mind healthy.
By thought labor brings happiness.
We do because we think we can do.
How great the reward for the heart to follow the profession.
I share your comment. I teach music. Everything I do is going towards either helping my students, or helping myself play music. What other job is there where one of your tasks is to work out out the solo to David Gilmours' Wish You Were Here. Or add the last bit of guitar to a new recording.
I guess it's all frame of mind. If you look at what's involved, it may seem like work, but if you ask someone who did it, they might just say "Nah, we did it, and it was done."
HEYYYYYYY !!!,
When it starts feel'n like a JOB or Wk. it's definitely time to RE-THINK THE SCHEMATIC !!!
How Much wk. is it to plant a seed, of something you WANT, or DESIRE to see happen that not only a good thang 4 U but others, I mean WHOLE-LISTICALLY Naturally GOOD !!!
You plant that seed an let TIME & NATURE do it's Thang !!!
Just be sure that if you want APPLES U Don't Plant ORANGE seeds cause U most DEFINITELY REAP WHAT U SOW !!!
Amen Brother! I worked my ass off today for some one else, the whole time I was thinking about how bad I just wanted to get home and play my guitar, I was exhausted from my day job, but as soon as I got my guit box in my hand that all faded away, and here it is 3 hours later and it doesn't feel like I worked at all today! When you are doing it for yourself it feels so good!
Yes, we do forget or are not bothered by the hard work. Kinda like time flying by when we are having fun. I have had students that the 30 minutes just creeps by, and some 60 minute students that make the time fly by making us wish we had more time.
J.
My view of work doesn't always take into consideration whether I like it, or feel like doing it. I value work for various reasons. For example, I love music, and I love playing my own music, but I don't always want to sit down and write, but I do it anyway, and always end up loving what I wrote, or at least end up loving and respecting myself for having the discipline to sit down and do what I love, which ultimately changes my feelings about the piece itself from ambivalence to really liking it to thinking "wow, if I hadn't hadn't sat down to write, I would have never heard this really amazing, totally original piece (to say nothing of the others that may hear it some day).
In physics, Work = Force times distance. Work is the amount of energy transferred by a force acting through a distance.
According to the work-energy theorem if an external force acts upon an object, causing its kinetic energy to change then work is done
So maybe what we are really speaking about here is labor, a labor of love. Because I love changing kinetic energy in my professions. And it hardly ever feels like labor. Well maybe lifting speakers does sometimes. ;-)
I once got a fortune cookie that read "The greatest joy in life is in creation." Whether it's art, kids, or a business, there's something about creating a something from a nothing that is so fulfilling that the effort is well worth it. I still have that fortune and keep it in full view.
I had my daughter at home with no drugs to ease the pain.. After that experience, nothing seems hard.. and believe me, I haven't forgotten for an instant..
"
Perspective is key in life~
Like a dear friend of mine says, "Before Suicide, there's always Tahiti
Very well put !! I own my own project studio to write & record my music. Therefore I pay NO studio time. Although I spend multiple hours,.... it still doesn't feel like work.
I don't see how scheduling rehearsals couldn't possibly seem like work! Especially in a place like New York City, where each musicians has their own busy schedule. In my experience, it's nearly impossible to get 5 people in a room, at the same time, on the same day, for the same hours. Ok not impossible, but certainly not easy, therefore, a whole lot of work. Anyone else out there hear me on this? NY people? Any advice on making scheduling rehearsals a snap?
Words are dangerous things. They can be crystal clear with pin point accuracy and creepy mud like devices that blur meaning rather than enhance it. I read the one guy on the love thread say "I love my girl but I don't like her. Go figure." Immediately I jumped up and said Yeah, right on, good observation. Then I sat and thought about it and came to the conclusion, "what in the world is he talking about?" These terms might have resonance in his mind but maybe I am not all that attuned to what he means. (But what a great song idea)
The word work is equally dangerous because it could command a range from 1 to a 100 with 1 being Dereks' happy work that he doesn't call work to 100 being pushing train cars of rocks up a hill until you die. What was the number where Derek viewed CD baby as becoming a negative work number due to its loss of scalable accomplishment level? Was it 19 or 29? Is there a red 44, loading boxes in an uncomfortable temperature or green 44 which is loading boxes while hungry and hung over. Is there working at something you would normally love but your pet died so blue 4 is about as bad as yellow 77. How humans measure things is so fraught with psychology, relativism and randomness that I think the middle of the spectrum is mush that people get more confusion about it. The extremes are usually somewhat clear. Sometimes I love chess and it enthralls me while other times it seems lifeless and droll. It goes back and forth and when I make a decision that I don't like it much it has only contextual meaning because I can come back to it later and love it in the extreme. Maybe after a few years, some new ideas and methods of opening up the accomplishment scope (Apple was just a computer maker when they remade themselves and now working there involves quite different focus for some of them) will change working at CDBaby fun again. Maybe not. What if there were a CDbaby phone sex line? We will have to check out the context later to find out. Work? In the low numbers its joy and misery are never the same.
Pursuit of a life is wonderful just remember the ebb ,an flow
*
Aleee
Derek, such objective assessment and insight is a gift... being able to pinpoint it like that is amazing. thank you for sharing.
Wendy
in the beginning of my carreer 30 years ago I was keen to see and feel my musical art as WORK - nowadays I am keen to see and feel my musical art as FUN: makes me FEEL better
I could spend a few days in a recording studio and never feel like it's work but a few hours in a day job hurts.
"Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else."
-Chub De Wolfe
Great quote! -- Derek
Hello DK, Really, Work should be enjoyable but knowing what we wanna do and the way we perceive work might greatly vary and thus change this truth.
what we call work shouldn't feel as hard work. Of course, it demands much effort, commitment and time. But in all of these things the enthusiasm we have doing it removes the burden of whatever might be perceives as hard work making work a joy. I love the biblical perception of work which says "I can all things through Christ that gives me strength ( Philippians 4v13). Work and Joy never make work hard-work.
Our brains ARE hardwired to forget the pain and remember the pleasure. That is why women have 2nd children, and why I still want to go on 60 mile hikes in the wilderness.
All the quotes and other peoples books and opinions are many times just leaves in the wind. Many times success comes from the fact that times and energies are aligned just right. Timing and rhythm of energies are very important.If these forces aren't observed and used, it's just luck. Of coarse we don't want to know that, hurts the ego.
Derek! Most recently, I've been taking a few moments to read your articles. Like Ujayii breathing..in and out which cleanse us..so important to have these bursts of truth and inspiration for the soul path. And, I'm happy to report,as of late, I have found the YES....the place...where there are no more obstacles in the way. Happiness and Joy lead the way!
I believe that it has a lot to do with your state of mind. Working my way up the corporate ladder was a fun 60 to 80 hours per week but being stressed out everyday once I reached my peak felt like work. Transitioning to full-time musician also felt like work while building my business and eating Oodles of Noodles but now playing about 300 gigs per year, recording & producing projects, giving music lesson, writing songs and selling CD's for the same 60 to 80 hours per week feels like I'm just making a lot of money to goof off all day. I suppose that being able to pick and choose jobs helps as well. It can be pretty rough at the begining but the pay off is sweet...
Every thing I've ever done has seemed like work .... except
WRITING MELODIES & LYRICS.
I love music.
Frances
As always, you're insightful and honest. What can I do to help you? This seems like a one way street. Just ask.
It is hard work, the fact that you absolutely love what you do, does not take away from that fact, another thing that makes it hard work, is when your love ones start to put pressure on you about, "its taking too much of your time" or "you care more more about your music than you do me" or when you lose a love one, because they stop seeing your passion, and start seeing you as this selfish person, that only thinks of your self, thats when its hard work....
This is work but I will not do anything else.
It feels like work when you see no goal or have no meaning or reward tied to the tasks. When you are 'working' for yourself you always have a clear goal of what you want to achieve. That is the difference in my opinion.
Derek,
When you owned CD baby is was run well, now look at it! I am sickened by how it's turned out.
You did a lot of work with CD Baby, still you found time to e-mail your artists that were on CD Baby, I've always thought that was very professional of you.
You even contacted me while I was in Vegas with my fiance this past June 2009 "who performed at The Mirage in The Beatles REVOLUTION lounge until she became ill," her and I were contacted by Bonnie Eyez Mercardo who has worked for VH1 and has her own program happening in Los Angeles & New York as well as she is the host of a live radio interview show in Las Vegas.
During the live radio interview with Bonnie, My fiance Victoria Winters talked about the hard work her and I put into making our own CD's and touring and being our own roadies, we did everything on our own, sound checks, light checks, mic checks, I arranged for Rick Kennedy to video tape us at many paying gigs, we worked it baby, and eventually I got Victoria back out to Las Vegas again and with the help of an entertainment promoter "Johnny Postel" who works for the Mirage Hotel, we got her promoted and people came and listened and watched her and myself on stage and they enjoyed what we did. And yes, it was a lot of hard work, but being true singer/songwriters loving to entertain Everyday people who want to listen to some good music, and could relax while having drinks and talking to their friends, Made all the hard work Victoria and I did together worth while.
Most listeners have no idea how much work it involves to tour without a steady supply of money, all the miles driven from day to day, the expense of the car repairs, motel and some hotel room costs while we're criss crossing the US touring. Most of the money we made at a gig was spent on rooms, gas, vehicle repairs, food, health care costs and so on.
Not tooting my own horn for any slaps on the ass for knowing and performing with professional artists such as John Lennon during August of 1980, and working with artists such as Robert Lamm from "Chicago" Jackson Browne, Bob Seger, The Platters, The Drifters, Country Joe and The Fish, The Jesse Dreamer Band as well as my own bands I put together since 1980 opening for the artists I mentioned above.
But I've had many very cool experiences in the music world, and all the time I was doing this, I was raising two step daughters and working regular jobs so I could continue touring and making sure all the bills at home were paid on time.
My cousin is Jim Stafford "a country star from the 70s" he won't even help me out at all. He told me "There is only room for one artist in the family." WTF???
Here's another true event that happened, I knew this 18 year old guitarist / bassist named Mike Belus, he and his Florida buddies were trying to get a record label to check them out, so I helped the band out by giving them some of my songs and even went with them to meetings in Los Angeles to speak with Record labels A&R about them signing a long period recording contract.
Without me being with them at those meetings, they would have never been signed. Mike changed his name to Tim Gaines, the band was known as STRYPER. They had a kick ass sound for signing as a Christian Rock band in the early 1980s, they all did drugs, drank, had orgies, but by signing to a Christian contract they were eventually able to do their own style music and they toured and fought and eventually broke up "owing the label millions of dollars."
At the time I was helping STRYPER get their shit together, I was working with one of my own bands I had formed called "In Your Face." yeah we were a bunch of silly asses, but we could certainly rock out, then after many other bands I formed came and went, my favorite band called "FUGITIVE" were contracted to open for many major artists and bands in the late 80s and early 90s, this happened due to the help of Tony Williams "from the Platters" and Lee Walter Williams "from the original O'Jays" and Robert Lamm from "Chicago."
I worked my ass off as did my band mates, we all had regular jobs as well as we toured as an opening band for major artists at huge venues, all that work didn't help us get signed by a record label, I went solo between 1992 and 1995 and made more money and became more popular in California then I had ever gotten by being in a band. By then I had friends who would tag along helping me by being my roadies. God Bless them anyway.
Here I am now almost 52 years old, still recording my own CD's in my small home recording studio that I share with my fiance Victoria Winters. She was signed with an independent record label back in 2008, but the label had NO IDEA what they were doing, and the producers were all kids, in their early 20's with no real experience, "we didn't know this until the first day we began recording Victoria's CD, I saw and heard the inexperience these so called producers knew. Whenever I'd give them any assistance they'd say, The owners won't let a non employee do anything, so I spoke with Mr.Tate "Music Director for "Tate Music Group" an off shoot company from Tate Publishing. He is not firing on all 8 pistons, he listened to the tracks his young inexperienced producers recorded and said: SOUNDS RADIO READY TO ME.
Victoria dropped the label after receiving what Tate Music Group said was the mastered tracks...they sounded like some old church ladies got together and decided it sounded good enough...We spent almost $3000 on that project and this is how we were treated.
OK, now a lot more hard work was cut out for us in a bigger way to do damage control. What a mess, I felt like I had just been gang banged by a bunch of idiots that honestly thought what they did was GREAT sounding. It was crap, so Victoria and myself moved out to Las Vegas once we had a new demo CD recorded and mastered right out of our own small home studio, and we rented a junior one bedroom apartment in North Las Vegas and I shopped the CD and her EPK around, then I hooked up with a promoter for the Mirage "all by accident" and he did Victoria right.
Unfortunately due to an illness which is still considered a mystery diagnosis, Victoria and I broke the apartment lease by paying $1310 dollars plus our last months rental payment of $580.00 and we drove back to Philadelphia, and she's been very ill, she's seen several specialists within the past 1 1/2 months, but due to her health insurance company denying certain tests and treatments to be paid for by the insurance she pays for, she is now going to talk to her primary care Doctor this coming Monday afternoon about him admitting her into a hospital so she can get all the tests done with within a few weeks time instead of the tests being so far apart and the doctors knowing there is something wrong but can't find it due to her health insurance company won't approve certain tests "for reasons that baffle me and the doctors."
Once Victoria is doing better, Johnny Postel the promoter in Las Vegas said he'll hook her up with an on going show at The Mirage Hotel "again" and then share her with 4 other entertainment promoters in Vegas that they all handle over three thousand lounges in 61 hotels.
If only the CIA didn't assassinate John Lennon in December of 1980, I would have been on tour with him and Cheap Trick in 1981 "like what John had arranged" and I would have been as well know as Cheap Trick got and all this HARD work I've been doing for over 29 years would have actually added up to a fantastic career in Music.
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.
Isn't that the truth!!!
Peace Derek.
Oh, Pandora Internet Free radio is now charging listeners $36 dollars a year, and if a listener listens to more then 40 hours of free radio music a month, you get cut off and can't listen until the next month "or pay .99 cents" and you can listen for the rest of the month once you've used up the 40 hours they allow you to listen to for free. WTF???? Or Pay the $36 dollars annually, and your listening time in unlimited.
Check out where I stand on the Untilamte Charts on www.ubl.com I haven't been a member of UBL "Ultimate Band List" since last March 2009.
Now a songcast company has contacted me both by phone and by e-mail telling me they'd like to use two of my songs I have posted on myspace.com for either TV or Movie soundtracks. The two songs are "Lover On Ice" and "Reflections."
Hard work won't get you where you want to be unless you have money or know of someone who has money to burn to back you up with.
Either way, enjoy what you do.
~Mark Johnson~
There are days when making a living as an indy artist IS work... HARD work.
It's not the travel or schlepping gear or driving down the road at 4 A.M.
for a morning show interview on some tiny radio station or maintaining the
website or producing records or handling artwork and coordinating the cd
manufacturing or booking shows or the constant promotion, etc...... For me,
it keeping all that stuff going at the same time that sometimes feels like
work. (how's muckwork.com coming along?)
All that being said, the satisfaction and rewards of what we get to do for
a living drowns out the whining and outweighs the work. Yes it's work...
but it's more than worth it.
All that stuff we're taught about "hard work" is just Puritan brainwashing to keep the masses down. There should be a grace and ease accompanying your efforts. If there's not, you're doing something wrong. The Puritans really screwed up our country.
iam going keep trying to do what i want it mite take longer.
not yet it will come
Is it correct to say that the opposite is also true? If it feels like work, you are probably not doing the right thing. And never forget what advice Cartman gave to Butters "Life is about doing what you want all of the time."
I like the baby analogy. But I am just so disenchanted with the music/songwriting business. I am a songwriter who writes songs for others to perform. So far, not much money in it because of the fact that songs can be heard for free on the computer. It's very difficult to be inspired to write if there is not much monetary return. Am I being obtuse?
I disagree. Just because I love writing songs and performing them for an audience, does not mean getting the gigs, dealing with the mailing list, band members when necessary, traveling - rental cars, maps/getting lost, paying everyone in their brother out of your pocket along the way, hotels/couches, being away from family/friends, taking out loans for records etc... is not work.
I only agree that it is in fact your giving birth mentality Derek. You just forgot because time passed and life moved on. That's how it works for all of us and why most times people come and go in the arts. Do we ever learn? Apparantely not.
I'm not buying it. When you come down from your pedestal, maybe then I'll take you seriously.
Hi Derek-
Wow I wish I could say the say the same...tho like you say when you are doing something you love doing it sure takes the edge off!
I suspect you've had a lot of great Karma coming your way with good reason. You definitely deserve all the good things that life can have in store for you!
I'm sorry you're not with CDBaby anymore, but I'm definitely happy for YOU!
I wish more customer service professionals think about this while serving customers.
Indeed, I just call the admin side of the band "The less glamarous side of rock n roll".
I.e I still consider it great and glamarous as all the admin leads eventually the moment we live for..being on stage and sharing our art!
Ta for the inspiring post man.
So, I just started a new blog on my book, published by Random House in 2006, Anything I Can Do You Can Do Better. The blog is kind of super personal update on the book and the ups and downs of following your creative dream (jazz singer, in my own case). This VERY DAY I kind of dealt with the same subject so it was weird to come on here and see it. Check it out. http://anythingicandoyoucandobetter.blogspot.com/2009/10/walk-this-way.html
Hey Derek, What about those who just "Love to Work" or maybe it's called service, I don't know. There are a few who love wiping the other baby's butt as well as their own! Doing as well for their employer as if it was their own business. Maybe it boils down to attitude and motive whether its work or not.
Blogging doesn't feel like work
When I was in high school I was a brick layers helper and loaded bailed hay on trucks. Now that is work!When I think something is hard I just remember.....
Love what you do and it will be your hobby. Hate what you do and it will be Work!
So go with your passion!
I have never worked a day in my life also or at least it didn't feel like work. I was just doing what I loved working with computers big networks and education the users of these networks.
Unfortunately my career came to a sudden halt due to my accident in 2001 when I was 24. For seven years after the accident I battled to show them I could work But every-time they said no to me and when I won the fact that my accident was work related I gave up.
Nowadays I say I am retired I am just 34 but am not allowed to work anymore I they don't want me I say ok then I won't do anything anymore except volunteer work and help people wherever I am able to.
Tom Schutte