Personal Branding: Between Paychecks

Have you ever sacrificed something you’re passionate about because it didn’t bring in a steady income? There’s nothing more unsettling then living in uncertainty, but beyond that is living beneath our full potential.

A while  ago I bumped into a musician, we’ll call him Freddy. He worked at a neighborhood pharmacy. He was a cashier, and in the checkout we ended up sharing a joke while he rang up my items.

I guess we built a strong enough rapport in that short amount of time for him to give me a flyer for an event he was hosting.

Holding the flyer, I glanced over the bold print, “Jazz Funk Explosion” in bright blue letters, and it was this Saturday. And guess who was in it? None other, then our man Freddy as a highlighted saxophone player.

So I thought this was going to be one of those hole in the wall get togethers, I was way off. I showed up that Saturday night a little late, it took me 30 minutes to find parking, it was so packed,  I tell you there was nothing less then 200 people at that event.

As if we had planed it, on the moment of my entrance Freddy started his debut. That guy put on a show of a lifetime. He had unedited  raw, genuine, talent in musical ability. The kind of talent you pray to god for, but after 3 years of lessons you’re still having problems playing marry had a little lamb on a kazoo.

I tell it as it is, Freddy had the makings of one of the greats. If I was crazy, my insane thoughts were shared by the countless standing ovations he received that night.

How can a man with so much talent, be trapped behind a cash register at a local pharmacy? The thought confused the hell out of me. Imagine for a second Celine Dion bagging your groceries, then driving away from the supermarket to perform at a concert???

I talked to Freddy after the show, and of course things are always a lot more complicated then they appear. Freddy had 3 kids and a wife he was supporting. Music was to risky, the gigs were to far in between, and traveling was out of the question. He was committed to the thought, being a full time Saxist just couldn’t be done.

I didn’t agree with Freddy or disagree with him. I told him how much I loved the show, and told him to contact me if he ever needed my help, or if he was ever throwing another event.

Is that the end of the story? I hope not, but only Freddy can decide how to live his life. I can’t make that decision for him.

We all have the same raw talent, and passion Freddy has, maybe not for music, but for something in life. Between the paychecks, if we can’t make a living doing what we love it’s important we never give up trying. On the path of success something will give in, don’t let it be you.