Last week was my last week at "the day job." For 2.5 years I worked for The Recording Academy in San Francisco, producing events for musicians and young musicians. It was exciting and fun - and so most musician friends I know are asking me why I would walk away from a post like that?
(Followed by the "you must have really made some great connections." Well, yes. I made connections. You can make connections wherever you are. The people I've met - and I'm thankful to have met several awesome people through my work - I'll stay in touch with them for life. But sometimes when others ask me about connections, it makes me think about the way you can be fake and try to impress people wherever you are. Which I skipped out on.)
As to the why I would leave?
Two realizations.
1.
Early one morning, I was driving up to perform
Alphabet Rockers for a preschool. It was about an hour drive, so I left at 7:30 in the morning, and had a lot of time to think. On the road I started reflecting on the work performing for children. How exciting it was to see their faces light up with the songs - and how wonderful it was that in only a few months I'd managed to get a band up and running, performing our songs around the country. In that same excitement I realized that I was only just beginning my efforts. That if I was to truly throw myself into it full-hearted, the way I was able to 9-6 every day at the job, I could really create something much more impactful in our world. That only my efforts were going to make my dreams come true... Perhaps it was the wake of turning 30 and realizing that I didn't want to wait anymore to actualize my dreams.
This realization was exhiriating.
2.
My dearest friend always comments about doing what scares you - and always pushing yourself to learn and grow. When I looked at my position, I realized that someone else in the world would LOVE to do my job. It's fun, you learn a ton, it's multifaceted and requires you to use many skills at once. I was ready for the next challenge - to be scared again and to face the unknown. Another parameter I looked at was six "human needs" - and the need to have elements of all in your job, career, life as a whole.
1. Certainty
2.Uncertainty - variety
3. Significance
4. Love and Connection
5. Growth
6. Contribution
I realized that pursuing Alphabet Rockers and The Simple Things really embodied all of these elements to a degree that felt right for me. Yes I realize the money is less certain. but I've lived unemployed in San Francisco in the past, and got by making something out of very little. I'm not going back to that world, but I know that if you really ask the world for what you want, you can start identifying where to get what you need.
This is essentially day one of working for myself, and pursuing music full-time. I am excited!! It definitely has crossed my mind what's going on at the old job, and how everyone is fairing. And for my current life and goals, I'm setting up a new regiment of training and so forth as a singer, writer, and business owner. Thus far, yesterday my CD with
The Simple Things got the final mix. Our album artwork is nearly finalized... mastering is on deck. I kicked off the day playing piano for an hour. It feels right. I know it's a risk. But it feels great to push myself to opportunize more and more for my musical goals.
