How to Overcome Obstacles on Your Path to Music Business Success

We have all heard about how artists have become a music business success story through hard work and persistence. Recently on a VH1 “Behind The Music” special I learned the story of Hiphop’s “Pitbull in a skirt”, EVE. The documentary was great as you learn of her many trials and triumphs in the music business.

EVE has gone from being a teenage stripper, to being signed and dropped from Dr. Dre’s record label, Aftermath Records, to being an international entertainment success. None of this happened overnight. Yes, she was in the right place at the right time but there were so many times when she thought about quitting the music business altogether.

Even after she reached the success that most of us dream of achieving she still had all sorts of personal problems ranging from excessive drug and alcohol use to private sex tapes being leaked on the Internet and being blackmailed with photos of her past life as a stripper. Throughout all of these obstacles, she managed to win a Grammy Award and star in her own TV sitcom.

It was a great motivator for anyone who may feel like they want to quit the music business.

So how can you overcome your own obstacles to music business success?

Before we get into detail, let us define what an obstacle is. To put it simple and in my opinion, an obstacle is something you see when you take your mind off your goal. I think that needs to be repeated.

An obstacle is something you see when you take your mind off your goal.

In other words, what are you focusing on? Are you focused on your goal or the thing that is stopping you from reaching your goal? There is a BIG difference.

You can use this 3-step formula to overcome your obstacles to music business success.

1. Identify the obstacles

In order to move past obstacles you must be able to identify what they are. Unless you know what it is that is holding you back, how will you ever be able to overcome it? Once you have identified the obstacle you should change your mind to think of it as a challenge. A challenge gives your mind something to look forward to but stating an obstacle as a problem actually shuts your mind down making it harder to find a solution.

2. Decide you want to overcome the obstacle

Once you have identified the obstacle, you need to decide if it is worth your time to spend time and energy to go ahead and accept the challenge. If is not worth your time, then leave the obstacle alone and think of something else to do.

3. Act on your decision to overcome the obstacle

This final and most crucial step is where most aspiring artists fail because they simply give up before trying. You must act on your decision. Nothing replaces action. Deciding to do something is an event that only happens in your mind. DOING something require movement. Once you get starting acting on an obstacle or challenge, you may find it is not as severe as you originally thought.

Using these steps you can conquer almost any obstacle to your music business success. If you run into an obstacle you do not know how to handle, find a mentor or someone who has been through what you are going through. Once you have successfully dealt with the obstacle, if the same type comes up again, then you will be prepared to handle the challenge with flying colors. Good luck!

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com
www.Beats4ADub.com
www.MusicMarketingPromotions.com

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3 Ways to Stay Focused on Your Music Business Goals

Are you an aspiring musician who feels like you have what it takes to be successful in today's music business? Do you seem to get sidetracked by life little interruptions? If this sounds familiar then you may have a lack of focus and without a "laser beam" focus, its doubtful you will be successful in the music business or any business for that matter.

Some independent artists tend to want to handle all of the details of starting their business themselves. While this is admirable, its not very smart as a long term business strategy.

Here are 3 ways aspiring music artists can stay focused on their goals.

1. Write Your Goals Down

The most successful people in the world have written goals. Written goals take your dreams a big step closer to reality. Getting S.M.A.R.T. goals written down on paper can help you create a laser beam focus to become successful in your music career. S.M.A.R.T. goals are (S)pecific, (M)easureable, (A)ction-oriented, (R)ealistic, and (T)imely.

Write your goals down exactly as you desire them to happen and set a realistic deadline for making it happen. This will put you ahead of the majority of other artists because most artists do not understand the music business is a business first.

Review your goals daily if possible and work toward making them reality everyday. With written goals, you know where your want to go and what it looks like when you get there. Most of the time the end result is better than what you expected.

2. Do Something Everyday

Writing your goals down is only the first step to realizing your music business dreams. Once you write them down, you must follow up with action. Do something everyday toward reaching the goals you have set. If your goal is to complete 3 songs this week, then you should do what is necessary to get those songs written. Grab your pen and paper, word processor or whatever and get moving toward the goal you have set.

Nothing replaces action and the more you act on making your goals a reality the more successful your career will be.

3. Find a Mentor

There are plenty of examples of successful music artists who have experienced the joy of handling their business correctly and reaping the benefits of good business sense. There are more examples however of what not to do as well. A good mentor can help you figure your way around potential pitfalls that are surely to occur as your career grows.

You do not have to know an artist personally to learn from them as a mentor. Success leaves clues so why not study successful artists? Having a mentor is like having a guide through the mountains and valleys of the music business. Using their experience and knowledge can help put your career on fast forward.

Using these 3 methods will help you move toward your music business goals faster than you ever expected. Sure there are other methods but you will find the most successful artists practice these 3 ways in some form or fashion.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com
www.Beats4ADub.com
www.MusicMarketingPromotions.com

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