djnutz
As I read the news of the passing of Steve Jobs, it made me think about the legacy we are leaving behind. I get it that DJ's have notoriously over inflated egos, but how much better could this business be if we could just learn to POLITELY communicate with each other. I'm sure Steve had his moments, we all do, but when you read about him, he is praised for being an innovator. He built a business in a garage. He took an idea and turned it into this huge thing. The Apple logo is recognized by the ENTIRE FREAKIN' PLANET!
I am going to be a little more aware of people's perceptions of me as a DJ. When my time comes, I'd like the tens of thousands of people who have been at an event I was working to say things like:
That was really fun.
We've been to a few weddings and that one was by far the best.
He had the dance floor going all night long.
I have had people come up to me and say I did so and so's wedding 10 years ago and it was the most fun they have ever had. I don't remember all the dances I have done. Hopefully they aren't confusing me with some other DJ, if so, he must be doing a pretty good job.
I don't want to leave this world with people saying:
He didn't charge enough.
He charged way too much.
His gear wasn't (insert brand name here).
His gear was (insert brand name here).
Steve Jobs was big on letting those around him shine. He was always open to new ideas. There are so many great ideas here on these boards that collectively, we could be force to be reckoned with.
The world lost a brilliant human being. He was a man on the cutting edge of technology. He was a brilliant business man. He turned a small home based business into a multi-billion dollar juggernaut. I think he knew how to bring out the best in those around him, knowing that it's much easier to move forward when everyone is marching in the same direction.
Here is my pledge:
I am going to make sure each and every group I perform for has more fun than they have ever had. I am going to give my very best each and every time. I am going to charge a fee that I feel is fair for my situation, my client, and my business plan. I am going to use equipment that I am comfortable with and that I can rely on regardless of brand name. I am not going to criticize, condemn, or complain about what any other DJ is doing. I am only going to hope that they do the same thing for their clients: give them their best performance, every time. When the next big thing comes along, I hope to find constructive discussion here among my peers about this shiny new idea. Then I can make an informed decision on whether or not it is an idea I can use. Even if it isn't something that works for me, I will not fault someone else for using it.
It has been said that if you love what you do to earn a living and you truly have a passion for it, you will never work a day in your life. This is where I am.
You’ve got to find what you love. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. -Steve Jobs
Besides DJ'ing, I am blessed with the opportunity to work alongside my Dad. He retired from a 30+ year advertising sales job and started a handyman business. Woodworking runs in my family. I love taking raw materials and after cutting, sanding, and finishing, taking a step back and seeing the results. Even better than that, is seeing the reactions of the clients when the work has exceeded expectations.
It doesn't matter if it's a $10 birdhouse, $10,000 addition, a bar gig for $150, or a wedding for $1500. All that matters is that my love and passion for what I do results in great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. I may not pass this business on to my children, but hopefully they will be able to look back and say,
"Dad taught us to find what we love, or learn to love what we do and the rest will come."
I am going to be a little more aware of people's perceptions of me as a DJ. When my time comes, I'd like the tens of thousands of people who have been at an event I was working to say things like:
That was really fun.
We've been to a few weddings and that one was by far the best.
He had the dance floor going all night long.
I have had people come up to me and say I did so and so's wedding 10 years ago and it was the most fun they have ever had. I don't remember all the dances I have done. Hopefully they aren't confusing me with some other DJ, if so, he must be doing a pretty good job.
I don't want to leave this world with people saying:
He didn't charge enough.
He charged way too much.
His gear wasn't (insert brand name here).
His gear was (insert brand name here).
Steve Jobs was big on letting those around him shine. He was always open to new ideas. There are so many great ideas here on these boards that collectively, we could be force to be reckoned with.
The world lost a brilliant human being. He was a man on the cutting edge of technology. He was a brilliant business man. He turned a small home based business into a multi-billion dollar juggernaut. I think he knew how to bring out the best in those around him, knowing that it's much easier to move forward when everyone is marching in the same direction.
Here is my pledge:
I am going to make sure each and every group I perform for has more fun than they have ever had. I am going to give my very best each and every time. I am going to charge a fee that I feel is fair for my situation, my client, and my business plan. I am going to use equipment that I am comfortable with and that I can rely on regardless of brand name. I am not going to criticize, condemn, or complain about what any other DJ is doing. I am only going to hope that they do the same thing for their clients: give them their best performance, every time. When the next big thing comes along, I hope to find constructive discussion here among my peers about this shiny new idea. Then I can make an informed decision on whether or not it is an idea I can use. Even if it isn't something that works for me, I will not fault someone else for using it.
It has been said that if you love what you do to earn a living and you truly have a passion for it, you will never work a day in your life. This is where I am.
You’ve got to find what you love. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. -Steve Jobs
Besides DJ'ing, I am blessed with the opportunity to work alongside my Dad. He retired from a 30+ year advertising sales job and started a handyman business. Woodworking runs in my family. I love taking raw materials and after cutting, sanding, and finishing, taking a step back and seeing the results. Even better than that, is seeing the reactions of the clients when the work has exceeded expectations.
It doesn't matter if it's a $10 birdhouse, $10,000 addition, a bar gig for $150, or a wedding for $1500. All that matters is that my love and passion for what I do results in great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. I may not pass this business on to my children, but hopefully they will be able to look back and say,
"Dad taught us to find what we love, or learn to love what we do and the rest will come."
Inviato Wed 12 Oct 11 @ 12:37 pm
Charlie Wilson
I am also somebody that can't do a job that I don't enjoy.
Inviato Wed 12 Oct 11 @ 1:16 pm
mp3jrick
As I posted on my page, we were the same age.
I look at my life and then at his, and I am humbled.
He achieved his goals with respect and dignity, and in my opinion conquered the giant Microsoft at their own game.
Some people are lucky enough to enjoy their careers, some are not so lucky.
I deal with professionals from Dr's to Lawyers to CEO's and it's alarming how many people are not happy despite the cash flow their careers produce.
That means not being rich but happy instead is a better target.
I remember the moon landings and it was "one small step for man one giant leap for mankind", Steve Jobs was the second giant leap for mankind.
I hate the song, but "Only the good die young" will never go down easy when its people like this.
The documentary's that follow should be incredible being the private man he was.
I look at my life and then at his, and I am humbled.
He achieved his goals with respect and dignity, and in my opinion conquered the giant Microsoft at their own game.
Some people are lucky enough to enjoy their careers, some are not so lucky.
I deal with professionals from Dr's to Lawyers to CEO's and it's alarming how many people are not happy despite the cash flow their careers produce.
That means not being rich but happy instead is a better target.
I remember the moon landings and it was "one small step for man one giant leap for mankind", Steve Jobs was the second giant leap for mankind.
I hate the song, but "Only the good die young" will never go down easy when its people like this.
The documentary's that follow should be incredible being the private man he was.
Inviato Wed 12 Oct 11 @ 4:04 pm
JoeyKJ
Some steal their way to the top, but he invented a vision of higher standrads both for himself and his products and succeeded, He is a good example of a truly genuine iCon...
He will be missed....R.I.P...
He will be missed....R.I.P...
Inviato Wed 12 Oct 11 @ 5:35 pm