The Timing of Success

I just read a short biography of Koko Taylor, "The Queen of Blues." She'll be missed.

One thing that struck me about that bio is the mention that her first big hit, "Wang Dang Doodle," became a major hit in 1966. It sold a million copies, a very big deal. She was born in 1928. That means she was 37 or 38 when she had the hit, much too old by the standard of our youth-infatuated culture here in the U.S.

This makes me think that if your work and your success is primarily based on chasing fads, possibly your success (if you have any) is dependent on those who are infatuated with youth (in the case of music) and newness. But, if you want long-term success, a career, if you will, then it makes more sense to follow your own star, and be yourself. In music terms, create your own sound, be yourself, and connect with like-minded people with whom your work resonates. They'll appreciate you for being you, instead of being infatuated by the facade and then moving on to the next pretty thing when they tire of the facade.

This also makes me think that age isn't a factor in real success (no matter how you measure it). You have areas of your life that you can be successful in regardless of your age, whether it is business, financially, relationships, artistically (some would say, in my case, autistically ;-).

Stop trying to be someone else. Be you, and connect with people who love you for being you; chances are, you'll love them for who they are, too. :-)

- John

Currently listening to:
Mudhouse - Black Eyed Sceva
Rome - F for Fake
Utopia - Tony Levin
Beautiful Sound - Newsboys