So as I sit here, with the possibilities being endless as to what I can say or do right now I feel a bit paralyzed. Some people thrive in complete freedom while others are in need of direction it seems. I think this applies moreso when the possibilities and directions you can go in that moment are boundless, the possibility of anything sometimes leads to nothing.

However the topic in itself is interesting to me. And somewhat telling as to my state in my career, where do I go from here..having so many options of what to do and how to do it. Sometimes the act of plotting what to do next gets in the way of actually beginning 😉

I have always had this theory about greatness, and that more times than not this is somewhat a product of self awareness and restraint opposed to sheer talent or will. Being aware of your short comings, and your strengths. Knowing your tendencies and flaws. Being your own worst critic at the same time being the one that will never lose faith.

You must be all of those things, but most importantly you must posses the self awareness of knowing what you are truly good at. Not based on what your friends say, or even complete strangers, you can’t trust any of them to truly assess your capabilities only you can do that. And being mindful to not be simply taking on tasks because you have the ability to do them, instead realizing it’s a detriment. Jack of all trades, master of none as they say. I think this applies particularly to music and media as a whole.

Often times rappers dabble in production, producers dabble in emceeing, who find themselves making their own cover art, websites, music videos, merch, studios, mastering, business models….this list goes on and on. The mentality is often a product of being frugal, because music doesn’t often make much money at all. So rappers and producers around the globe more times than not moonlight as graphic designers, website designers etc. you get the point.

Over the years I have been forced down the same path, learning to do all these extra skills out of necessity. Never being truly exceptional at any of them, but doing just well enough to feed my own ego to continue the journey of an egomaniacal yet fairly inept mcgyver of the media arts. But again this was out of necessity, I was never convinced I was ever really actually very good at any of these media based extra curriculars.

We all know the corner store down the street that sells everything from liquor to sandwiches to cell phones to bootleg t-shirts. Bodegas they call them in certain places. Well you may notice these places never change that much, it will remain a very familiar scene as long as they can keep the doors open. It will more than likely never upgrade the decor, or alter it’s appearance in any way. If another location is opened across town, it will be like you transported directly from the previous one. There is no progression only sustaining. There is a reason for that, and it coincides with the same mantra I’m preaching here now.

Just because you can it’s doesn’t mean that you should...

A few blocks down maybe in a slightly better area you may notice some thriving businesses. Shiny new signs with customers bussling in and out, some have been for generations. Whether it be a “greasy spoon” that specializes in a killer smash burger for decades. One item, perfected as it was meant to be. They did one thing good and they knew it, so that’s who they are and why they are still around and probably will be.

This applies in most areas of commerce in general, it’s rare a company or individual achieves success by doing “everything” Amazon and Walmart being the outliers. Most do or sell one thing. We all know a vacuum repair shop, or bakery or some other seemingly small market business endeavor thriving in our community. Usually these are the places handed down for generations…

In a way I wish all I ever had to do was compose chaotic boombap style instrumental pieces, perhaps rhyme and do label projects with artists I like to work with on occasion. But life never goes as planned, and while I myself have fallen victim to the same issue that plagues the corner store by “doing too much” I can’t help but wonder how things would have went if I was able to simply focus on my strengths and hone my craft more over the years. Opposed to just doing what was needed to progress financially.

Ultimately time is only currency in life that matters, and no amount is worth the feeling of watching time pass and wondering what could have been…

So be decisive. Don’t take even a second for granted and do what you are meant to do.