What Do Drumming and Home Business Have in Common?
Copyright 2004 Foreman Enterprises
by Scott Foreman Build-Passive-Income.com
In a former life, I was a professional drummer. As one who
listens to music, I have very specific traits that I am
looking for in other drummers. I quickly realized however,
that non-drummers are expecting only one thing from a
drummer; that he or she play in time. That is to say, the
drummer must not speed up or slow down, unless the music
calls for it. Since performances are not just exercises in
self-indulgence, us drummers must make `priority one’
playing in time.
The ability to play in time is a difficult skill for new
drummers to learn. When you sit behind a drum set, you often
just want to play. You can be creative with the dreaded
`drum solo.’ You can be aggressive. You can make a lot of
noise. None of those things are important, however, if you
can’t keep the tempo (speed) steady.
In learning to play in time, the drummer must subjugate
their creative expression in order to concentrate fully on
the tempo. It is mandatory that we practice with a metronome
(device that `clicks’ at a given tempo). Flashiness detracts
from our ability to be steady. As a result, we strip away
all embellishments and just focus on the task at hand.
It seems to me that the endless lonely hours spent in the
practice room with the incessant clicking of a metronome
have allowed me to maintain a strong focus on the important
tasks of my business. Everyday, I have to mentally strip
away all the fluff and just tackle the “money makers.” No
one needs my home business “drum solo.” The time for
creativity comes only after I’ve mastered the techniques
that keep my business running and profitable. Just like the
time for drum solos is only after the drummer is so
comfortable with the music that he/she can afford to let
their concentration focus on something new.
When you sit down each day, do you know what you’re going to
do that day? If so, what is most important? Which tasks
will move the business forward? I hate to say it, but often
whichever tasks you are least looking forward to are
probably the ones that need to be done first. Is what you
are doing right now, what your customers would expect you to
be doing?
Since the “drum solos” in our business are often the most
fun and provide necessary motivation to keep us moving
forward, allow yourself time each day to travel down those
paths. For me, once the clock strikes 5, I get to explore.
That’s my time to try all the crazy, new business ideas that
have been popping into my head all day. Use whatever system
works best for you.
In drumming, as in business we must focus on the core
responsibilities in order to make sure that we stay `on
task’ and `in time.’ Intrinsically, you know what must be
done. Try those necessary tasks early in the day so that you
can get them out of the way. List the tasks that are
directly linked to making you money and do them before all
others. Just like the great drummers of the world, you make
your living doing the simple tasks consistently very well.
Remember, be good to yourself and never underestimate the
power associated with the intensity of your passion.
Scott Foreman
scott@build-passive-income.com
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