Career Foundations

I cleaned out a bunch of old files yesterday and came across an interview with Nitin Nohria, who has since become the Dean of Harvard Business School. The interview was because of extensive research into successful companies and a theory called the 4+2 Formula for Success.  Here’s my take on the basics – the 4 – as they apply to a career in music or the entertainment industry.

Strategy

What you want and why – A strategy is your ultimate vision for the life you want as well as the goals and objectives that have to be hit in order to make that vision real. It should also include, or at least be built on, the why behind those goals and visions. Wanting to make $100,000 a year is not enough to keep you motivated to succeed, wanting to have enough to support your favorite charity is – that’s the why behind the goal.

Work

Your actions – what are the things you’re doing daily, weekly, monthly and yearly in support of your strategy? The most important question here is are they working? If they are, keep doing them. If they’re not, do something else. Ask yourself this question ALL the time!

Attitude

Your thoughts:

• People – what do you think of the people you work with? Your fans/customers? Potential customers? The people you need in order to make your strategy a reality? You will never overcome treating people badly.
• Expectations – what are you expecting? I do not believe that positive thinking affects the world around you. I do however, believe that what you are thinking affects how you VIEW the world around you. If you believe the world is against you, all you’ll see is closed doors. If you believe in opportunities, you’ll see them everywhere (and btw, opportunities ARE everywhere.)

Team

“Business is a team sport.” – Robert Kiyosaki

Who’s on your team? Are they supportive? Do they know more than you or have they achieved what you want? Get around people who are in life where you want to be and you’ll be amazed how it will stretch you, grow you and move you towards your goals.

Well?

How are are doing in these areas? Do you have a strong foundation?