On Opportunities

Elsie and I were doing some thrifting today, and had an interesting conversation.  It appears that both of us get emails regularly from people wanting to know the answer to one question- "How did you get where you are today?".  For this blog post, I will ignore the fact that it feels a little bit arrogant for me to even answer the question, and I will answer it.  I'll try to keep it simple.

1.  I don't believe in getting your "One Big Break".  You have to put yourself into positions where you can get one of the ten thousand "Little Breaks" that you need to move forward.

2.  I don't care what you say, most everything is a "Little Break".  No single opportunity has ever panned out to be much more than a small stepping stone in my career- including TV and film placements.

3.  I've done TONS and tons of free work for people to build up my resume.  I spent years of my life working for free, and now I am getting paid.

4.  I have friends that are more famous than me, and I'm not talking about people I made friends with to get an opportunity.  I made real genuine friendships with people that I respected.

5.  I developed a skill that not a whole lot of people can do- I write, record, and perform string arrangements by myself.  This has taken me years of my life, and I will continue working on this for the rest of my life.

That's it.  It's near impossible for anyone to say they have become "the best" in their field, but it's a reasonable goal to be the "hardest working" in your field.  

Thanks for reading.

Jeremy

Comments

[Vivianna]

What a great post! I believe that if you want something bad enough you need to work hard for it. Hard work is the key :) thanks for sharing

[Travis Griffin]

Jemery, you probably don't remember me, but this is Travis Griffin from Lindsborg, I have enjoyed your music over the years. It is so real and touching as it is heartfelt and i wish you and yours many more years of Happiness. Thanks for sharing your wonderful gift and thanks again.

[Janna Lynn]

First off...I think the world of your wonderful wife...it was a big deal for me to meet her in person at the Renegade Craft fair..and have her remember who I was! I am still flattered to this very instant. :) Now for you and your success...I am constantly in awe of how you bend sound to reflect such keen human emotion. It always leaves me tilted head and totally engulfed in the moment. Combine your wonderful musically gifted friends...and I'm a puddle of goo listening to the most wonderfully rippling sounds that actually creates a stirring of emotion that makes listening to music arise to another consciousness. I love listening to music in general...but when I encounter truly gifted musicians...seriously...I lift off with glee. It has taken a great deal of work and faith for both you and your wife to be as successful as you are...it also takes humility and a deep kindness that cannot be faked. I adore you two. Sincerely, Janna Lynn Foland :)