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Hello friendly TL peeps! My Name is Patrick, long time lurker, barely ever post.
This is just some thoughts I've been having about life decisions and commitments. Would love to hear some stories from other peeps about these kinds of things!
I'm you're average bloke, I drink with friends, I play video games(<3 quakelive) and I study 4 days a week and work the other 3. I'm currently halfway through my diploma in music(basically first year or two of university), play in a local band, and am writing music with a fair few other peeps around town as well.
Music has always been a passion of mine and the challenge of mastering any instrument(guitar for me) has always been appealing, as many of you viewing this blog can understand that just about starcraft! Recently However, is has been very abruptly shoved in my face how much of a commitment being a 'musician' as a career will take.
My goal has always been play live music as much as possible, preferably original material. In this insanely competitive industry I am starting to question if investing so much of my time into this will still be rewarding when the rose tinted glasses come off. My tiny local band's schedule is already starting to cause issues with my gf, however I am lucky enough that she does understand. Being disciplined enough to carry out 2 hours of guitar practice a day, then write as much as possible, research recording techniques to apply to stuff I'm in the process of writing, all the while continuously search for the perfect tone to use is the biggest challenge I've ever faced in my life. I enjoy it, but I can't help but observe the people around me...
My roomate is an apprectice chef, she works hard, no doubt. We both work in a small cafe. It can get busy but I've always seen short term physical effort about a million times easier than long term investment and being disciplined about the investment as a much more difficult challenge. I see her come home everyday and relax. I won't lie I get insanely jealous some days. Nothing more than Id like to do than brew a cup of tea and watch a movie or two(it's really cold atm lol).
Even in writing this i am starting to realise I'm just being lazy. Id rather look back and know I gave 110% to my goals, instead of relaxed alot and didn't take a chance. Doubt is one hell of a drug!
/end random rambling
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I'm at the point in my life where long term commitments seem to be the ONLY thing that keep me going. If I am not doing something to get closer to one of my long term goals, than I am just wasting the day away, its counter productive, and I just don't want to live like that.
I think the biggest challenge is time management - how you balance your leisure with your work with your personal life. The goal is to create a balanced lifestyle, not to excel in one area over the other
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On May 20 2013 04:53 Race is Terran wrote:
I'm at the point in my life where long term commitments seem to be the ONLY thing that keep me going. If I am not doing something to get closer to one of my long term goals, than I am just wasting the day away, its counter productive, and I just don't want to live like that.
I think the biggest challenge is time management - how you balance your leisure with your work with your personal life. The goal is to create a balanced lifestyle, not to excel in one area over the other
I agree, I see an end goal that i want to achieve, and i work everyday dilligently to get closer to it everyday. It is always on the back of my mind no matter what. I truely believe that having goals in your life makes living much more enjoyable and with a purpose.
Most people just wonder around aimlessly watching movies all day and "hang out" or "chill" their lives away never to have really found a purpose or a goal; constantly satisfying their emptiness with instant gratification that serves others and themselves no good in the long run.
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On May 20 2013 04:53 Race is Terran wrote:
I'm at the point in my life where long term commitments seem to be the ONLY thing that keep me going. If I am not doing something to get closer to one of my long term goals, than I am just wasting the day away, its counter productive, and I just don't want to live like that.
I think the biggest challenge is time management - how you balance your leisure with your work with your personal life. The goal is to create a balanced lifestyle, not to excel in one area over the other
Same. I can only hope I reach one of my short-mid term goals sooner rather than later, as the longer it takes the worse I feel about it. Still, I have to plod on like a turtle.
Thank you for reminding me about balance - it's hard to see it from another perspective when your head is in the roses. Some days I better myself, and others I just daydream. Perhaps some of both every day would do me better.
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I run away from commitment like its the bubonic plague. Hence me moving 6 times in 5 years. Best of luck
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Music is a ridiculously demanding industry to get into depending on what you're looking to do. If you're wanting to play in bands and make your money that way then it will always be time consuming and difficult. The thing is, if you continue to practice and play over several years it will get easier in certain ways.
Some examples: your practice schedule might slow down once you reach a level of skill which allows you to play what you want to play. Or maybe you'll keep practicing the same amount but your increased skill will mean you don't need to devote as much time to learning songs or writing them. Also, playing a lot now increases your chances of landing regular gigs, as well as getting you a reputation which will (hopefully) lead to people sending gigs your way.
Basically, keep at it. Although always make time to chill out or you'll burn out eventually. I know many a musician who has done too much and eventually lost their energy.
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After looking this thread again in the morning, i wanted to add that if you can't make a living out of playing music, think of something else to do with it that you can. Like perhaps teaching music, or selling guitars...etc... Perhaps that your passion for music may lead to another hobby and you can mix and match them together.
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EPT
