Thursday, April 9, 2009

What's My Motivation?

Over the past couple of years, my level of excitement has sunk to levels I never thought I would experience until I was in my 70s, but, sadly, it has hit an all time low. But, let me clarify, I mean in terms of music nowadays. My zeal for life is still high, I love and appreciate my family and friends and close associates, but the passion I once had for music has me wondering what's next? I don't listen to the radio, I don't watch the video shows and I can't remember the last time I WANTED to purchase a CD that was coming out. My recent CD purchases has been for much older music, classic tunes, but there is not one artist who makes me want to go to a store and stand on line and purchase their CD, even if I am getting it for free. I remember when there was excitement when an artist had a new project coming out, I remember when I would watch video shows in anticipation of seeing a hot video. Not anymore....

I was actually thinking that I may just be old, but please.... That argument can't or won't work simply because I am still young in terms of life but maybe it's the same argument our parents had. They always told us, growing up, that music was much better and we looked at them like they were crazy, but they were right! When you think about the timeless classics of Al Green, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, Barry White, Lou Rawls, The Jackson 5, Teddy Pendergrass, Aretha Franklin and then even the classics of even 20 years ago, Guy, Bobby Brown, Christopher Williams, Prince, Michael Jackson, Chic, The SOS Band and then in terms of Hip Hop, A Tribe Called Quest, Ice Cube, Run D.M.C., Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, De La Soul, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Heavy D and The Boyz and then you think, what is there today?

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Now Is The PERFECT Time To Become Self-Sufficient

With the economy being the way it is, people, with good reason, fear losing their jobs or not finding work. But, I feel this is a great time to become self-sufficient as being so builds up the confidence and swagger necessary to stay afloat in these tough times. Knowing that you can make things happen and make your own money or make moves that will bring in money is something most people don't have. The majority of people who work, tend to need to feel reliant on their position and/or their job to be relevant, but if you have the type of personality and/or drive to do things without feeling the need to have people help you, then this is the perfect time to step your game up because it will get worse before it gets better and if you can survive in this climate, you will thrive when the economy comes up again.

I know people are fearful in starting their own company or doing something outside of their position, but it is very empowering knowing you can and will make things happen because you want to and not have to rely on someone, people or a company to make it happen! At the same time, it's not for everyone. I know people who are great at what they do when they have direction and a stated goal, but put them in a situation where they have to fend for themselves and they get lost immediately. I never understood it before, but I have a better understanding now! If you are not that confident that you can do it without direction, then stay in your position and make yourself even more valuable because it is rough out here!