We all want to go to the next level. The next level for you could mean playing more skillful, more influence, a higher position, more money or whatever. We all want to go to the next level. There is no question about that.

The question is are you really willing to do what it takes to go to the next level. It is a price to pay in order to go to the next level that everyone is not willing to pay.

The principle is you reap what you sow. Don’t sow apples and then get mad when you start reaping apples. Likewise, it would be crazy to sow oranges and expect to get grapes. We all know it does not work like that.

So as a musician you have to ask yourself “what do I really want.” You then have to start sowing seeds that will produce the harvest for that.

For example if you want to play better you have to practice. You are probably thinking DUH everybody knows that. But is everyone practicing consistently; practicing when you don’t feel like it; practicing on the things that are really hard for you and are no fun; practicing diligently on a regular basis and constantly raising the bar for yourself. If you love what you are doing then it is not so bad but true practice is sacrifice and hard work!
My point that I am trying to make is that this is the price you have to pay if you really want to go to the next level in your playing. Are you willing to pay the price?
I run across musicians all the time that want to make more money! I think musicians should be paid very well when they have prepared themselves and do good jobs.

This is my view on this. Most guys say when I get paid the amount of money that I want then that is when I will give the type of service that they want. I think this is backwards. You have to sow the seed first and then you get the harvest.

Now let me be honest I use to think like that too. I would hold back if I wasn’t being paid what I wanted. But I didn’t fully understand the principle of seed time and harvest and I didn’t understand true service.

The is a blog for gospel musicians so I make references to things that gospel musicians can relate to but I think the principle applies to everything.

Say for example a musician that plays at church wants and feels like he deserves a raise. The question that this musician needs to ask himself is have I been faithful, have I been dependable, have I consistently prepared to do the job in excellence, have I been on time, have I had a good attitude.

If he can say yes to all of these things then he has sown the seeds for a raise. But on the flip side is the guy justified for getting a raise if he is late alot, never knows his music, is not dependable, doesn’t practice, isn’t improving, and has a bad attitude.

Would you give this guy a raise? Probably Not!

But alot of us approach what we do like the second guy and we are dissapointed when don’t get the results we want.

Hard work, sacrifice, discipline, diligence, character, integrity, and consistency will take you to the next level every time. Apply these principles to whatever you do. If you stick with it and don’t get tired I guarantee that it will work for you and propel you to the next and next and next level.

Kenny Hollins