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Weekly Wednesday Wisdom

Wisdom for Miloh: Listen to Iron Maiden

Well more specifically listen Bruce Dickinson the lead singer to Iron Maiden because he's a super interesting man.

I think Maiden gets a bad rap because they're a metal band and their mascot, Eddie, is anything from a zombie to a skeleton and things in between. But they are a pretty smart group of guys.

Years ago I saw a trailer clip from their appearance on Live From Abbey Road in which Bruce talks about his career. Unfortunately when I searched for said clip I couldn't find it...I think it didn't make the cut for the show and was then pulled...but I remember the gist.

He talks about his career and says that he considers himself to be a professional pilot (he flies for a charter airline) and is once again an amateur musician...and he likes it that way. I should say that as an amateur musician he does pretty well for himself.

Bruce goes on to explain that the true meaning of amateur is someone who practices a study, sport or past time for the passion of it and the passion to learn it rather than for the money.

I guess I never thought of it that way...I always saw it simply...that a pro makes cash at something and an amateur doesn't.

But this is a good way to live your life...I love photography and was a professional photographer for 3 years...and I HATED doing that. Once I got into design I started loving photography again...I no longer had people telling me what to photograph...I could shoot what I wanted. I love being an amateur and wear that badge proudly.

If someone wants to pay me for my pics that's great...but I won't shoot the way anyone wants me to because I'm only shooting for myself.

That's not to say you can't make a living doing what you want...I made the switch from photo to art direction but I treat my career like I'm an amateur...I continue to learn...if I didn't I'd get bored.

Your mom did the same...she said goodbye to a lucrative career in wedding planning to follow her passion...teaching children...and in so many more ways it pays better than the other.

So little dude...find what your passion is and do that...if you get paid for it that's awesome...if you pick it as a career but lose that passion run away, find something else to pay the bills and find your passion again. Stay an amateur (even if you get paid) it's more fun.

And while I can't find that clip anymore here is one from the show. I love what Bruce has to say in it.



I should add that had it not been for Maiden I would have never read the epic poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, in 7th grade. So bugger (if I'm using UK slang correctly) to those who say metal makes kids stupid.

Comments

  1. Awesome post! So very true. I often tell my younger employees that this job doesn't have to be their passion but they should like what they do. And that finding what you are passionate about is vital to being happy. Thanks for the inspiring post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awesome, awesome post. I think you've just enlightened me to a new personal hero in Bruce Dickinson. If you don't mind, I may steal a couple small excerpts from your post for a project for my son at http://guywisdomformyson.com.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amiable fill someone in on and this post helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you on your information.

    ReplyDelete

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