So, You Want to Be a Rock Star? (part 1)

by Draven Grey

What do you think it takes to have a highly successful band?  Is it great music?  A great image?  Charisma?  Who you know?  Luck?  Being in the right place at the right time?

Those are all great things.  Let me ask you though… How many bands can you think of that have great music and charisma, but will never “make it?”  A lot, I’ll bet.  And if you ask a successful band, how many do you believe would tell you they made their own luck, they put themselves in that “right place,” and they purposefully introduced themselves to who they needed to know?  So now we’re back at the beginning.  What does it take to have a highly successful band?

Some would argue that there is no formula for success.  Some rely completely on luck and whatever life happens to throw at them.  But there are a countless number of authors, who have devoted their career to studying successful business ventures, that say there most certainly is a “formula”.  It isn’t step-by-step guide like many would like it to be.  It isn’t even a plan.  It is much more powerful than that.

It’s not a plan?  Then what the Hell is it?
Author Jim Collins sums it up quite well in his book, Good to Great, Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t.  Although his book goes into much more detail, as do I when coaching bands, there are two primary things that stand out in Jim Collin’s book as key to your success.

1. Having the right people on the bus
2. Having laser-like focus

These two things set the standard for the success of any business venture.  Make no mistake about it, your band’s career is a business venture.  The people on board, and the clarity of your goals can make all the difference between a struggling band and one that is consistently moving forward in their career.

Let’s examine this a little further…

Who are the right people?
Who would you trust your career to?  I’m willing to bet that they value the same things as you do.  They’re probably self-motivated, passionate about their goals, and willing to do what is needed of them in order to “make it”.  What character traits do you want in a career partner?  Who do you want on your team?  How do they adapt to the situation at hand?

There are a ton of questions you can ask to know if a certain person is the “right one” or not.  First and most important, is that you are the right one.  If you were to take a moment to step outside of yourself and take a good look at the person you are, is that really someone that you can trust your career to?  If not, then what steps can you take right now to start becoming the person you want to be?

That’s right, YOU.
No more “when this happens, then I will…”  The time is now, and your band starts with you.  No one else is responsible for your actions.  You are a key member of the band, and you are the one thing that you do have control over.  Many bands break up after asking themselves if they are the right people for the job.  You don’t need to leave.  Not only do you have the choice to become who you need to be, but you also have an entire group of people who are there to support you!

After taking a long hard look at yourself, then you can look at the people you surround yourself with.  Have you gotten the “wrong people” off of the bus?  What about your friends that aren’t band members?  Are they holding you back as well?  You need those who compliment you in your values, your goals, your character, and your skills both in your life and in your band.  You need those who shine where you’re dull.  And you need those who are willing to grow and adapt in order to reach the destination.

Now you are truly…not alone.
Once you have a bus full of people you know make a strong team, then you can decide where to go.  You will know that wherever the bus goes, you have a team of people that can handle any situation that arises.  You know that you have a team who is there to hold each other up and do whatever necessary for success.

Imagine the headaches and frustration that so many bands complain about, that will be avoided.  Imagine the power of a team incredibly united towards a common goal.  Imagine the strength and stamina of a group devoted to seeing each other succeed.

What values and character traits do you find important?  What about for your team?  Now that you have a good idea of who is on board, perhaps it is a great time to start on that band agreement you’ve been talking about.

In part two of this series, we will define and examine the second part of success – laser-like focus.

On the ridged and often dangerous path to “making it” in the music industry, Draven Grey and Rockstar Mindset have been described as a friend, guide, and schoolmaster. For years, they have challenged artists to dream big and take precise action. For more information about the resources, courses, and services they provide to challenge you into becoming the rock star you want to be, visit http://www.rockstarmindset.com.

©2008 Rockstar Mindset LLC

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