A Pivotal Question
Are you the best in the world on your instrument?
It’s a pivotal question because your answer determines every aspect of how you’re approaching your career. It’s also pivotal because if you’re like me, you’ve never been asked it before. I’m not saying you haven’t thought about this question though, because if you are honest, you have. Often.
There have been countless times you’ve heard someone play or seen someone perform and you thought, “Crap! They’re amazing! I hope no one ever compares me to them.” Or, “WOW, how will I ever get any work if you have to do what THEY do?” Or the classic, “I’m glad they don’t live in my town!”
How you answer “Are you the best in the world,” and what you DO with your answer drives and supports your approach to your life and career. – Excerpt from my Why I FAILED books.
I call this a pivotal question because answering it correctly can – and should – pivot your life and career towards a path of success.
Now What?
As you enter into 2012, please accept the reality check that you are NOT the best player, singer, songwriter, producer, etc. in the WORLD. No one is.
With that answer out of the way, it’s also time to accept the reality that you must learn how to succeed in music despite not being the best at what you do. This is actually easy: just do what every successful person has done (because they weren’t the best in the world either):
- Learn about business and people. On the business side, pay particular attention to basic money management and marketing. On the people side, learn about personality styles and communication.
- Get around successful people, often.
- Take the time to know the complete package of who you are, what you want and what you offer to the world. This is what’s called a USP, or Unique Selling Proposition, and it is the key to your success. For example, though many would argue about whether BMW or Mercedes make “the best cars in the world,” they compete with each other using messages communicating their specific USPs.
Planning for 2012
Be sure to make learning what it takes to succeed beyond your craft a part of your plan for 2012. Figure out how you’ll get the information you need, who you will plan to spend time with and when, and how you will gradually implement all the stuff you’ll be learning. Most importantly, set aside time to figure out your USP and how you’ll use it to build the career you want.
What are your initial thoughts about your USP or USPs in general? What makes you YOU?
