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William Hazlitt -
If you think you can win, you can. Faith is necessary to victory.strong>
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This is the year of increasingl lost faith, hope and self confidence for many, maybe even you.
If “YOU” is true, I really want you to give yourself 2 minutes to read this, you deserve it.
It doesn’t matter what got you to the point that you may be at. Maybe your music career is not taking off as quickly as you want it to. Maybe you are at a certain age and don’t make or have as much money as you oped to have by this time. Maybe you got fired/layed off. Maybe your company went out of business. Maybe you quit because you couldn’t take it any longer. Maybe you are just graduating from school and the prospects of living at home are far worse than cramming in with 12 roommates in a beater house or apartment you call “The Hotel”. Whatever the reason, the question is how do you turn this time into the start of something good ?
I’m here to give you your “Get Back on Track” To Do List… Ready? Here We Go, Hold On!…
1. Recognize that its ok to live like a student. (Yes you read that right, keep going)
It doesn’t matter where you live. It doesn’t matter how you live. It doesn’t matter what kind of car you drive. It doesn’t matter what kind of clothes you wear. It doesn’t matter. Your biggest enemies are your bills. The more you owe, the more you stress. The more you stress over bills, the more difficult it is to focus on your goals. More importantly, if you set your monthly income requirements too high, you eliminate a significant number of opportunities. The cheaper you can live, the greater your options and the more opportunities you can go after. Remember that.
2. Take Lots of Chances
If you are living cheap, and ready to find out where your future lies, now is the time to try anything. “Back On Track” time means fighting through your fears to take a job in a new industry. It means trying different things to find out what it is you love to do. There will be no such thing as too many jobs. In this type of economy getting a job can take time.. But don’t give up. So you are going to have to bust your ass a bit to create opportunities for yourself… So what, no one else is going to do it for you.
Creating opportunities means looking where others are not. Look outside where all your friends are looking. Make a list of jobs and businesses that are outside the norm. I know you want to follow your passions and get a job in the music industry.. Or even sports, movies, tv, shooting video for Girls Gone Wild, and other things your friends would love. Why fight the crowds ? Go where people are not. Just like you never thought you would never fall in love with someone else, you will find another industry or job that you will love as much as your first love. Move down your list to other things. Then get ready to work
In this kind of economy, it really is a numbers game. You are going to have to keep on applying for everything and anything that opens a door you want to walk through. You can never slow down. Its hard work finding a job. If you have bills you have to pay, and it means taking a night job in order to keep looking for the day job or to keep a job you want, do it. Be a waiter, a night janitor, wash clothes, sell vacuum cleaners door to door, do whatever you need to do, all the while reminding yourself that it opens the door for your future.
Then when you do find a job, remind yourself again that you are winging it. Everyone always sees the bright side of the job they just took. You have to. The new job you just took that you thought would be amazing, will be amazing. Most probably it will be amazing for about 3 months. Then you will realize its not so amazing and you will need to find something else that is amazing. Thats ok. You don’t have to be right everytime. You just have to be right one time. Finding the right job is a lot like dating. Its hard until you start, then when you start, its great till its not. Then its frustrating as hell until you get it right. But when you do, it all comes together.
3. Figuring out if you are in the right job
Its really easy to know if you are in the right job. If it matters how much you get paid, you are not in a job you really really love. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t want to make more money. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t bust your butt to make as much money as possible. Thats not the issue. The issue is whether or not you truly love your job. If you love what you do so much that you are willing to continue to live like a student in order to be able to stay in the job, you have found your calling.
4. Figure out how to be the best
Once you have found out what you love to do, there is only one goal. How can you be the best in the world at it. It doesn’t matter if you are a filing clerk, an athlete, an accountant or a bartender. All that matters is that you do whatever you can to be the best. Of course “the best” is all relative. The one person who you should never believe when it comes to evaluating your abilities is you. The very worst judge of your abilities is you. Self Evaluation is seldom successful. When you are the best at something, the demand for your services will grow. (remeber how much I talk about adding value) People want to hire the best and keep the best. They want to be associated with the best. In 2009, in this economy so many people switch jobs and industries and its so much easier to stay connected via social networks and other digital means, people who need you can and will find you. So rather than trying to convince people you are the best, let the quality of your work do your talking.
5. Start the day motivated and with a positive attitude.
You are going to screw up. We all do. I cant tell you how many times I did and still do. In fact, some of the most richest and successful people make the most mistakes… Simply because they make more attempts at different things. It happens too often. No matter what happens, every morning, the minute after you wipe away the crust from your eyes, remind yourself that you are going to enjoy every minute of the day. You are going to enjoy the 20 interviews you have. You are going to enjoy waiting in the heat for your roommate to pick you up afterwards. You are going to enjoy realizing how frayed your collar is becoming and how sick you are of your one tie. You are going to enjoy all the crap that you have to deal with as you chase your goals and dreams because you want to remember them all. Each and every experience will serve as motivation and provide great memories when you finally make it all happen.
Its your choice. What are you going to do?
If you make it a HABIT to do something towards bringing you closer to your goal, Every Day.. You’ll be light years ahead of 99.9% of everyone else, because very few others have the discipline and self motivation to do this…. Other then those people who are ALREADY where you want to BE.. And the way they got there is by being Focused!
Stay Focused, Stay True to Your Dreams and You’ll Make It!
Talk back to me and leave your comment for this post, do you think it is a good idea to contribute to your goals on a daily basis? Why? Or simply let me know what you thnk of this post…. Leave your comment now, Talk Back Baby!
This post is brought to you by “Gigging for Dollars!” The quickest and easiest way to get high paying gigs and show performances, worldwide! Visit the site to learn more at http://www.GiggingForDollars.com/main






























































































































37 Comments Received
As Janis Joplin once said, “freedom’s just another word for ‘nothing left to lose’”. All my colleagues who have lost jobs unexpectedly have ended up better off a yaer later. You just have to have faith in your abilities, put your pride aside, and be honest with yourself. AW
Thank you for this inspirational article.
Thank you! Powerful message of timeless, sage advice. Thank you for clearing the fog when I needed a little kick in the pants!
I’ve been going through the downturn like everyone else. Today, I decided the downturn is OVER.
Carpe’ diem!
Thank you! You are always right on time. Giving advice, ideas, and strategies just when they are needed. This came right on time for me.
u make me feel like a million dollars by workin extra hard for my money ur my inspiration.
This, of course, is good advice. Who ever said it was gonna be easy? We have chosen a task that many times has been said to be a one-in-a-million shot! Allow me to say “God (or whomever) bless us all”!
Sometimes what appears to look like failure is only a clue as to our next step. Information is KEY.
Follow your dreams; work hard; and listen to & weigh good advice!
Ty, this is great. Not only am I going to thank you for this, but I’m also going to prove to you that I really “get” it!
SERGI GARRETA
Remember my name and give me 1 year to get people talking about me and my music…
I hope to have the opportunity to meet you some time soon
Take care, and thanks again
this is an excellent message that is true in all aspects!!
I think inspiration from fellow artists who have and haven’t made it in the music industry is always encouraging and reminds you to stay on your grind. I am at a point where I have won lyrical and straight rap showcase competitions, performed all over NYC and still I feel like no one who can get me to thew next level has seen or heard me yet. I am greatful for this info you provide because it definately pulled me out of the “I give up!” rut that I was sitting in. I will be discovered eventually….maybe on this blog….www.reverbnation.com/EmpressGold….www.sonicbids.com/TheLastEmpress….and the hustle continues…..
Sure is a whole lot of truth in this post, Ty. Many of the opposites are true, too. If you believe you can make it, you’re right. But if you walk around believing that you cannot make it, you’re also right.
It’s an interesting question you raise about evaluating yourself and your own abilities. I think in goes both ways. You’re certainly right that you don’t want to be the only judge of your performance or the only critic that you listen to. But I think you still want to be appraising yourself regularly and not just taking the judgments of other without question. There has to be some balance there. Having faith in yourself does include having some confidence in your evaluation of yourself.
Thanks for the great ideas.
Regards,
Jerry Y.
I’M LOVING EVERY WORD FROM THIS!
Abby, thats a perfect example of a bad situation turning into something better.. As i always say, when it comes to friends and life, only time will reveal how things will turn out. We all have the ability to live a life 200% more enjoyable, fruitful, and happier then what we currently live. The thing is only a very small percentage of us will take the time out to decide “Why” we deserve to have such a life.. Everyone has different reason, a reason that often changes as we grow older… It could be yourself, kids, spouse, a desire to cure the world of a certain disease, etc… Once you find your true “Why” anything is possible if you pursue it with a relentless desire :
Ty Cohen
http://www.MusicContracts101.com
John Congrats on taking the world by it’s collar and as my son would say “Puttin it in a choke slam!”!
Ty
Much success to you as well Kita… People if you want to see a “Go-Getter” in action, follow my girl Kita… She “TAKES ACTION!”
I really enjoyed that positive boost.
I feel that the more you obsess about getting your music out there, the more frozen you become.I get frustrated because I feel like I don’t know what to do next.I believe the key is Patience and of course Faith.
JL
Jerry you are so right, I see that one of the biggest problems for most people who somewhat understand that your mind set, philosophies and beliefs dictate your life’s results is that they battle with controlling the negative thoughts that sometimes creep in.
In regards to your other statement, I make it a habit to “Challenge” my self on a daily basis and I change it up, meaning one day it may be working out a bit harder, the next it may be making more phone calls, the next, making sure that I communicate to my wife that I love her, etc, etc…
I use the mindset of am I doing the best that I absolutely can with this? If this thing determined if it would be my last day on Earth or not, could I do better.. And you now what I always find that I can still crank it up a notch… Try it and you’ll see amazing improvements on the way you do things and the amount of discipline that you develop.
Peace
Ty Cohen
http://www.TheUltimateRecordLabel.com <<- Of course I’m marketing, so should you.. Remember ABM!!! Always Be Marketing!
Empress G, you are right… Sometimes just seeing other artist who are at your level, yet are having some degree of success makes it seem all the more possible.
To be honest with you, there are tens of thousands, if not more of these types of artist all around…. Many who have reached their level of desired success and are having the time of their life.. I speak to them all the time..
To everyone reading this, please remember success is determined by your own definition.. NOT by what the media, mags and TV shows you… You don’t have to have a mansion, 10 cars and loads of women to be successful… I know many artist who sell 10,000-20,000- CDs a month, yet many of you probably will never hear of them and they are comfortable with that….
20,000 CDS a year, even at just $5.00 each is still $100,000.00 for doing something that you love…. Seems Pretty successful if you ask me
I encourage
Go! Serge Go!
thanks so much! these are very insperational words hope everyone is feeling as good as i feel right now! thanks and for anyone interested http://www.myspace.com/larryjoethedrummer thanks!
SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH POSITIVE BEINGS PUT JUICE IN A TOMATO!I have so much to give but things(disobedient child,wayward husband and a stressful job with a hand to mouth finance.) these things can let the air out of a ballon,sank a large ship,and make a sane person go mad but my out side circumstances shouldnt dictate my inside nor future plans that GOD HAS FOR ME!SPIRITUALLY I AM READY AND IM LOOKING TO GOD AND HIS LEADERSHIP NOT MY NEGATIVE SO CALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY TY THANKS FOR THE DOSE IN THE ARM I CAN AND WILL DO THIS !
Faith trully is tha Key…we gotta keep moving, No Matter What!
It’s funny, I just finshed my first CD, it seemed like it took forever. You cand check it out at http://www.songcastmusic.com/albums?zoom_query=43226. I went through three versions of Cubase, three computers, sound cards and numerous other problems. It was a great feeling to complete it, but the funny thing was, I sort of felt down too. Then I picked myself up and said “okay, time for the second one!” I learned alot from the first CD Project that I am applying to the second. I agree with you Ty whole heartedly. You can’t quit, you may become discouraged at times but you have to push through those times of dispair. I stopped watching the news because it seems filtered and can make you more depressed. It’s like Bruce Lee once said “Its not the outcome but the journey which makes you stronger.” Your are also right as to not compare your success to what the media sterotypes success. If that were the case, in the music field, after you are 25 years old, you are through and nobody wants to deal with you. I would think its the opposite: The more experience you have, the better songs you may write. Break a leg to you all!
what u say is true.but every situations are not the same.for some artist like myself its about the choices u must make in life.but ah! good things come to those that wait.we all have a season that comes around,we just can’t miss it when it come.even if we do it will come around again,just be ready.
Great Message.. Stay True to yourself and have Faith…
AWESOME!!!
I know I’m a little under a month late in replying to this, but I just came across it… Must be meant to be because it’s right on time in terms of relevance. Life has been beating me down and trying to discourage me lately… Rather trying to encouragement through reverse psychology, but I’m not very responsive to that sort of thing. Anyway, your article has helped. I thank you, Ty.
Cheers,
ozny
hi ty this the donnie-steedproject check out my new cd, at reverbnation.com.
my father said: “to climb the ladder, go a step at a time¨¨.
thanks for your support, words like what you share make
me feel good.
Hey Ty,
Thanks for this wonderful post.
A little story should go with this piece of script…
Every music group I’ve been in has been taken to the next level. It is an experience to discover one’s true purpose in this business, but it takes a journey to discover the real road to success.
No matter what you do in life, if it doesn’t bring you any happiness, then you must change your plan. You must realize the truth before you take another step or turn.
As I discovered… People all over the world are streaming my music whether it is a great or terrible recording.
And if people are doing this with my music, then I must be doing something right.
I’m sticking with my instincts and will continue to find a way to make more progress in my recordings and to find my way back on stage.
Your post is very helpful and helped me realize that it is worth the struggle and heartaches if it pleases the music lover to stream my music.
RADARLOVE
Thanks Mr.Ty, for all of this knowledge you share with me it’s a big help for the things i’m trying to accomplish!!!!
Very well put and Oh so true. Keep up the great pep talks.
Good words of inspiration. Thanks, Ty. And thank all of you who post on this site. We should all remember how lucky we are every day.
Thank you for this inspirational information. I have worked diligently toward my goals everyday. Sometimes it can be very frustrating, especially in the music industry. You can get all of the most amazing positive feedback for your music, but barely having enough money to make it that next gig can be scary. But it’s always worth it.
Please check out my stuff:
http://www.joellemaddyson.net
Ty has helped me with my songwriting and my motivation. I take everything to heart, and my dreams are steadily coming true!!!!
Hey Joelle you are a gem… A real inspiration for everyone who is trying to make it in this business.
Keep up the positive work!
Ty
Very good information……keep up the good work!!!
im loving all the help and thx you
Hello,
I really appreciate this message. I am all about having faith and the right mind set. It is true, some times it is hard to see this when you are going through a difficult time in your life as we all do from time to time. I love the faith in the middle of the green pastures it is deep cause you can tell where you are but you cant see to where your headed that is a great represntation of how life is. Stay encouraged!!
very happy knowing you ty, have a set of products, to start climbing the success hill.
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