The Execution Gene

If I had a dollar for every good idea that I've had, I would be a millionaire. Years ago I had an idea for a huge music school for kids. Then I had an idea to start a real estate investing company. Then a studio. Then a music licensing company. Then a music licensing/tech start up.  I've had app ideas, career ideas, ideas that were brilliant, some that were horrible, and some just plain goofy. 

The thing that made my current company start working and not the others was not the remark-ability of the idea but the will to execute that idea.

Most people have great ideas in them. It's part of being a human. The gene that not everybody possesses is the ability to make things happen. That gene takes some practice.   

Practice time.

The paradox in today's society is that we all say quality matters yet let things slide out the gate when it's time to release.

Now, metrics matter more than quality. Instagram likes and Snapchat game are more important than the music itself. 'Band guys' with stage presence are hired more than actual musicians.

No artist wants to believe that, but that's what their actions tell us.

If you don't believe me, go listen to Paul Simon or Joni Mitchell...Then listen to the radio. Watch Foo Fighters live. Then watch a Christian version. :-)

When I was a student, I had a music teacher that no matter how good I thought I was playing, he would find something I could be doing better. It was a constant strive for perfection. And that's the way it should be. I needed that.

Many young artists spend too much time on Instagram and not enough time in the woodshed. As much as I preach about treating your artistry as a business, sometimes it is NOT the time to market. Sometimes, it's time to practice.