Love The Work.

Love The Work

Cease endlessly striving for what you would like to do and learn to love what must be done. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Another way to say this:

Stop constantly focusing on what you would like to do and find joy in putting the effort into the seemingly mundane things that must be done each day.

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I hope you find the following blog post helpful as you find new ways to grow. There is a reason you chose music to be your hobby or life-long pursuit. Whatever level, or desire you have it is important to know what is possible, have an idea of the direction you’re heading in, then you have to love the work. Love building skills to go further than you imagined.

The Uncomfortable Question

Whether you feel amazing about your goals or if you feel stressed, unhappy, or like a failure, take a moment to ask yourself the following question:

How much effort and time did I really put into this?

Unfortunately, too often, we focus on the outcome (external approval) without putting in the work (internal drive).

The Successful Musician

Successful musicians joyfully take responsibility of their dreams and/ or goals by spending time with their instruments on a daily basis. They consistently create opportunities to practice, read, learn and listen. They develop patience, self control, and embrace quality work ethic. They get out out of their comfort zones with deliberate practice in order to build mastery as well as rare, valuable skills. They remove anything(tv, YouTube, social media, etc) that interferes with their development when it’s time to focus.Then celebrate when the work is done.

Remember…

First you dream. then you work.

Practice. Study. Read…

When you feel like it

When you don’t

When it feels easy

When it feels hard

A little bit everyday for a hobby

A little bit more for a life in music

Remember, significant growth happens in small daily increments

Dream and learn to love what must be done each day*.

Celebrate when the work is done

*Take time to rest! Rests are just as important as the notes. Save this for a future blog post.