This blog is about being responsible. In the previous part, I have taken a fictional character named Dillinger and put him in a bad situation. (For more, read Part 1 and 2. It’s good, it’s great, the trip is worth it!)
Dillinger was coming to Chicago with stars in his eyes. Then things turned sour. Let’s craft him a different fate.
First, he still has to go to a bad part of town in a crappy car, and he still has to take a low-paying job. That doesn’t change. He’s broke and broke. No free-be for him, I didn’t get any either.
The changing part of the clockwork is his attitude. That’s what can move.
He will do the low-paying job, whatever it is, but this time with as much heart and professionalism as he can. While he’s at it, he can also refuse to listen to the water-cooler talks, as they are called, that does nothing to help him become a musician. That kind of gossip can only trap him into thinking that his current mangy job is the whole world.
Chances are, if he becomes a good employee flipping burgers or shoveling coal, it will mean that he doesn’t have to stay after hours, because if he’s someone valuable, he can negotiate to do the number of hours required to do his job, and nothing more.
Which means (watch the cycle happening differently now, please) that when Dillinger finishes his shift, he doesn’t have to think about his job anymore. As for his rotten boss, that guy is only temporary.
Now with a little more time available and a free mind, Dillinger can take care of the important stuff in his life: MUSIC!
He puts that into motion by going to some jam sessions, set up some auditions, spend time learning repertoires, practice his instrument, rehearse with band(s). In other words, he’s working on his career. He doesn’t need medications (Alcohol, food, drugs, TV, etc) because he has an outlet, and a thrilling one. His mind is not idle, he doesn’t feel trapped. He’s building something valuable and interesting.
After a few years, he becomes a pro and lives happily ever after.
And, yes, I’ve seen it happen. Time and time again. My talks with the potential pros revolves around the cogs of the little machine I just explained.
Where is the subject of responsibility in that. Simple: Dillinger has decided to take his path into his own hands. He is the only one responsible for his fate: he worked very hard at it, he’s not going to claim it’s not his fault. Dillinger is a responsible being. If he messes up and fails, it’s his. Same if he succeeds. Usually, the Dillinger of this 3rd blog succeed, though.
