Documenting Your Career’s Ascent

Last night the Grammys were given out, as shown on CBS.  In today’s reports about the winners, losers, and performances there will likely be a mention about the ratings.  And my question to those who aspire to one day be a nominee is, were you watching?  If not, what was the reason?

I didn’t watch last night’s broadcast at all.  But the reason is because I chose instead to stream the documentary called “Muscle Shoals.”  My guest on this week’s podcast makes reference to it and, as I said to her during our interview, that’s not the first time on the show that the Alabama city has been referenced.  By watching what I did last night I gained deep insight into the history of the music made there.

So again I ask the up-and-comers, what did you watch last night?

Although I was already familiar with its reputation and know a couple people that’ve recorded there, watching “Muscle Shoals” gave me more working knowledge.  It will help me be more informed when I’m in related conversations in the future.

What would watching the Grammys last night have gotten me?  If you invested the time in that last night, you’ve got some answers for water cooler discussions today or trivia games at some point in the future.

Time is a precious commodity.  You can utilize it to advance your career or you can let it slip by while your peers are getting ahead of you.

I woke up yesterday morning to an email that had come in at 2:02am from someone wanting to do business with me.  Now that is someone who is focused on their business instead of being out in the wrong places at the wrong time.

Not too long ago I saw the documentary “20 Feet from Stardom,” which seemed appropriate for someone in the music business to watch.  I also remember really enjoying the three hours I invested in the documentary about The Eagles in the not too distant past.  Of course, there’s also “Beyond the Lighted Stage,” a documentary about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Rush, which is entertaining for fans of that legendary Canadian band.

The moral of the story here is to take a look at where you’re spending your time.  Are you caught up in reality shows?  Do you tend to prolong, say, lunch or dinner, just for the sake of sitting around?  It’s hard to picture yourself accepting a Grammy when you don’t put in the work that’s required to be a star in your own city, not to mention across the country.

At some point someone will make a documentary about Grammy winners and surely the common thread that will be woven throughout the narrative will be the time and hard work they put in to reach the pinnacle of their career and how rewarding it was.  Instead of pointing the remote control at your flat screen, aim to be the one whose drive is written about as much as their music.