The scars to success ratio is never 0:1, 0:2, 0:10, 0:100, and so forth.
In reality, for those of us painting art, writing music, changing things, and stirring the pot, it’s probably 1:1.
For every success there is (there will be) a scar.
Every mentor I have walks with a limp and is covered in band aids. The difference between them and the mode is that they play through the pain and never ask to be “subbed” out of the game.
May these words free you.
Today, you can throw away your slide rule, your graphing calculator, your spreadsheets, your iPod, your compass, your protractor, your ruler, your telescope, your microscope, your graphing paper, your laptop, your cell phone, and even your iPad. They’re helpful, but not necessary.
Today, you can stop pointing at the past, the people, and problems you feel have held you back.
It’s not your God-given name, nor your background, nor your tools (or lack there of) that will take you to the success you long for.
You were pre-installed with every bit of hardware and software that you would need before the foundations of the world were created. In other words, your God-given guts and hands are just waiting for you to boot up.
Listen….You can be named Bubba, never have had a professional lesson, and still champion whatever field, sector, or industry you’re looking to master.
I love the guy that is unashamed on the dance floor.
I would like to offer you the invitation to be that guy/girl.
You are free to be WHO you are and move HOW you like/love in the marketplace (dance floor).
Just keep dancing to the music you’re hearing and making the moves that feel right.
The masses may not be getting it, but slowly – if you are notable, getting talked about, being pointed at, and sometimes even being mocked…you are on your way becoming a very desirable dance partner in the marketplace.
Watch musicians while playing with their instruments.
Musicians make funny faces. Musicians have weird moves. Musicians have their eyes wide open. Musicians move with their eyes shut.
Now turn and watch the musician’s fans…they are not bothered by the weirdness. Actually, they promote it – talk about it – sometimes even reenact it. The strange ways of the musician are why the fan buy his album, his shirt, and the ticket to his show.
Remember, our instruments make our music and our music tells our story.
The marketplace gives you a lot of freedom to be you when your instruments are in hand.
Let the music play.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has been an art museum in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, on 53rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
However, it has now moved…and it’s right out your front door.
Walk out that door and there you will find art like, but not limited to:
A deal well closed.
A dish well served/cooked.
A lawn well mowed.
A paper well written.
A child well raised.
A fashion statement well stated.
A generous life well lived.
A job well done.
A garden well-grown.
A speech well delivered.
A game well-played.
A character well played.
An encouraging word well thought out.
An encouraging word well delivered.
A song well written.
A song well performed.
An idea well thought out.
An idea well executed.
A dream well pursued.
Notice the use of “well” in all of the previous entries. Not everyone will say “well done” when they’ve experienced you art. But that’s not the point. No one leaves the MoMa with inspiration from every piece. The goal is to find and continually inspire those that are saying or thinking “well done” and to do the same for those that you can get to the point of remarking “well done.”
Keep painting and singing for your promoters and disregard the naysayers (most of them have bad tastes anyway – look at their walls – that should tell you something).
Think paint and think song in everything you’re looking to do well at.
The world is 2 in 1: a blank canvas and a sound stage.
Paint and plug in.
Ashton.Gustafson 