Potential in hard times!

Potential is a big word but never fully visible to me or you. Potential could be defined as the picture of what you can become. Thomas Edison said something very insightful when he said, "If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astonish ourselves."

John Maxwell in his book, Talent Is Never Enough, states, "If you where to see yourself as you could be, you would look better than you ever imagined. I just wish I could show you a picture of yourself with your potential intact."

I wish I could see that picture for myself and show it to you for your life too.

Life comes with plenty of real problems and really doesn't need your help or mine to further limit our futures. I know most of my limitations are self imposed and my hardest critic is usually me. With a hard economy and work slowing down, I find 2 options available for all of us. And actually, the options are always the same.

I can sit around and complain that the phone is not ringing, that I am working less, or I can get out and expose myself to new bands, venues and opportunities. We can learn how to cope and deal with stupidity, or we can take control of our fate and relentlessly hustle.

There is a difference between looking at something lame and lieing to yourself, and looking honestly at difficulty to find the opportunity it can bring. The difference is perception and not situational. I know I have but one choice. I must break the complaining with action. Not lies but action. You can do the same. Stop the negative rehearsal of these lame economic times and get out of the mold, looking for the chances that are right in front of all of us.

My trip out into the world this past weekend showed people are working! They are spending money. I saw people on the streets hanging and having a good time. I saw great music all over town. I saw good things happening.

The bank account might not show how amazing this past weekend was, but it will. I am a musician. I love lots of music and LOVE playing saxophone. So off we go into another week of no work but a full schedule of clubs starting tonight. I hope you might learn to look at the slow down as a chance to make some needed and quality changes. Get out and see what can happen!

Greg Vail - SAXBOY