MONDAY BYTES – April 23, 2012
Consider the number of hours you put in on your music: the amount of time it takes to plan, book, promote, and rehearse a performance vs. what you get in return.
Of course, if you counted up all the hours and the money you’ve invested in over the years: in lessons, instruments, festivals, travel to auditions, etc., it’s monumental. If we looked at this with a straight business perspective, the cost v. benefit analysis, we’re all basically indentured servants to the art form.
So why do we do it? Surely the reward for musicians doesn’t lie in the performance fees or in the occasional review, or adoring fans. What about the intrinsic rewards? To understand more of this, check out this engaging TED conference 10 minute animated video by Dan Pink explaining some of the surprising science of motivation. In this clip he sites 3 key motivators.
Question: What has been the most rewarding experience for you in the last month? This may have no relation to anything you are paid for. Think about how autonomy, mastery, and a sense of purpose (highlighted in the video) factor into your rewards for a life in music.
As always, I’d love to hear what you come up with—
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Dream big, Plan smart, Live well!
