Originally published in a journal for musicians, Attitude
Development articles are universal success principles applicable to
virtually all people in all walks in life. I feel there is a need for mental
practice as well as musical practice in order to be a successful musician.
With all of the negative garbage that gets fed into our brains each day, I feel
that we need to offset that with at least as much, but preferably more, positive
input. We of all people must remain positive if we wish to be remotely
successful, much less "Super Successful."
What is an asset? Webster defines it as "A useful or valuable quality or
thing." We all have assets. And we all have liabilities.
I believe it was the very wise man Confucius who said "The journey of a
thousand miles begins with the first step." One of the first steps requires
an ingredient that most people don't have, but all can acquire. It is also an
essential part of the "formula" for success. That word is guts.
Once you have defined your direction in life, next you have to have guts to
face yourself: to look at, understand and accept your assets and your
liabilities.
It seems a lot easier to sweep the garbage (that we are trying to hide) under
the carpet. But in the long run, it's not. The pile of garbage under the carpet
eventually ferments and grows so big that it can over take the entire room (your
life) it's in and may even cause an explosion from the gases the fermentation
produced!
Michael Jackson's "Man In The Mirror" song is right. Be honest with
yourself and admit where you are right now. Then you can get your bearings, plan
your next step, get off your assets and move toward your goal!
Most people "sit" on their assets without ever taking advantage of
them. The most counter productive ingredient for success, and unfortunately the
most popular nation on planet earth, is procrastination. It doesn't have to be
that way. One on my mentors once said about the subject of complaining about
what we don't have or how bad things are, is to "Do the best with
what you [do] have."
So, keep taking that next step. Keep moving! You're either growing or dieing.
When you're green you're growing, when you're ripe you begin to rot and
eventually die. Stay green and go for it!
There's as asset in your hands at this very moment that begs to be utilized.
There are over 600 members subscribing to the Music Referral newspaper. They all
have free classified ad privileges. They could use this asset to place ads to
sell equipment, look for new equipment or band members, offer their musical
services, etc. Yet how many of these subscribers are using this service?
Music Referral wants you to succeed. That's the purpose of this newspaper.
Use it to sell equipment you're not currently using to raise money for the
equipment your current situation requires. Or use the money for private lessons.
And advertise your services each month. If you're a subscribing member, they're
free.
Very rarely, you'll see someone who "climbed a mountain," or who
made it in the "big time" in one step. If that were the case,
eventually they would have to go back and learn what they skipped along the way.
In most cases, though, the ones who appeared to have made it overnight, have
actually used their assets wisely all along the way to ensure their success.
I believe you must keep one eye on the top of the mountain (the goal) so you
know where you are going, and the other eye on the ground where you now stand so
you don't fall.
There are many assets you now possess or can possess in the future, both
tangible and intangible: musical equipment; a healthy body; a positive mental
attitude; your freedom to choose; your master mind (see last article) and life
itself, to name a few.
I'm sure you've heard the old cliches "Getting there is half the
fun," "Success is a journey, not a destination" and "Success
is always under construction." Loving what you do, in itself, is an asset.
Also, accepting yourself for who you are and getting on with life in spite of
yourself, is an asset. Don't do what most people do: have "Pity
parties" and/or "Poor me seminars." Accept that you are your
greatest asset...or liability.
Become your own best friend. Focus on your assets and they will grow. If you
focus on your liabilities, they will grow.
Make a list of your assets. Knowing what they are is a start. What you do
with them will determine your direction in life: up or down; growing or dieing;
positive or negative. We hope your chosen direction is up, growing and positive!
Copyright
1988, by David Humes. All rights reserved.
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