Over the past several years, I have developed a “model” that I offer to students at appropriate times within a school year or program. The idea is to share with them a concrete model of some of the guiding principles I hold dear, both in and away from the musical world. After all, most of my students will not be heading off to music school or conservatory, but will soon be making the metamorphosis from adolescence to adulthood. The college years are such treacherous crossroads with many obstacles along the way, and so it seems fitting that I give my students something they can draw on when the going gets tough or their ideals are called into question. Call it a model for success, a model for fulfillment, or simply a guideline that has worked well for me over the years. I can’t say that I have held to it unfailingly, but when I sense that I am beginning to stray from its principles, I always do my best to consciously return to them.
The model for me has three basic precepts. First, be passionate. Find passion in your work, your music, and your life. In fact, go beyond passion and find a mission. Not just a job, not just a hobby, but a mission. Now, that requires passion. The people in my life who are successful and fulfilled are filled with passion and have a sense of mission in their work, in their play, and in their relationships. Secondly, live with integrity. In this world there are people who play by the rules and people who cheat, folks who lie and folks who tell the truth, those who live in the dark and those who live in the light. At the end of the day, I’d always rather be on the positive side of those statements. How else could I ever get a good night’s sleep? Again, this seems to be a solid rule among those whom I count as role models in my life. Thirdly, maintain balance in your life. And when the balance is out of sync, take concerted steps to fix it. It seems to me that there are seasons in our lives when we need to focus more on one particular area. But, we must also recognize the need to feed all the parts of our selves: our career, family life, musical soul, social life, spiritual life, and physical life. I am sure there are others. The trick is taking time to evaluate and act when one area of your life is in need of nourishment. It is unfortunate that many in our society lose sight of this precept. Recently, I have found that with three young boys, my family life has required more of a prominent place in my daily activities. So I have taken action to make that happen. Have I been totally successful? Not yet, but I am trying. I try to be sensitive to all areas of my life when there are so many activities and opportunities competing for my time and energy.
Do I have all of the answers regarding living a successful and fulfilling life? Certainly not. It is an ongoing process of introspection and growth. I do know that this burning question arises in each of us from time to time: How do I find and maintain success in this career that seems to require so much time, commitment, and energy and still remain fulfilled in all the other areas of my life? When these questions find their way into my thinking, my mind first goes to the areas of passion, integrity, and balance. If any one of the three is out of kilter, I take conscious steps to correct the problem. And, with time and effort, success and fulfillment begin to come into greater focus.
As musicians and music educators, technicians and artists, community leaders and members, we must continually seek and encourage passion, integrity, and balance, not only for ourselves, but also for those around us. Look for more “in-depth” thoughts on Developing and Maintaining Passionate Ensembles, Ethics and Leadership in the Music Classroom, and Curricular Musical Balance to come over the next few months. Until next time, I wish you much success and fulfillment in all of your musical endeavors.
Scott D. Laird
Instructor of Music
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Durham, NC
Educational Specialist
D’Addario Bowed Strings
Success::
