Fame Can Be Disappointing
August 26, 2009
I was out running some errands on a Saturday morning, flipping through the radio stations when I stumbled on a familiar voice. It was Elvis Costello, the English musician with a 30-year career spanning back to his early days in the ’70s as part of the emerging New Wave style.
He was being interviewed on NPR’s Weekend Edition program, and Scott Simon, the host, was asking questions about his roots in music, the different styles he’s embraced, and his long and successful tenure in the industry – an uncommon feat in the face of the public’s fickle tastes in music.
When asked what advice he’d have for aspiring young musicians today, Costello remarked that they should be acutely aware of why they’re playing. Are they doing it to become rock stars, or to make great music, because, he continued, “Fame can be disappointing, but music is rarely disappointing.”
Similarly, you should be acutely aware of why you’re in business. Unfortunately, too many people seem to be confused about this and it affects every aspect of their companies. If you’re a non-profit, out to save the world – or at least a small part of it, fantastic! Nothing wrong with that. You still need sound fundamental business practices, of course, but you can take a different path in some areas than a for-profit business can.
And if you are a for-profit business, then your key decisions and processes should all be focused on maximizing profits while abiding by our three rules: don’t do anything illegal, immoral, or unethical.
Keeping a clear focus on why he’s writing and playing has kept Elvis Costello both active and successful for over 30 years. Maintaining a similar focus can have great results for you as well.
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