Nothing Great Can be Accomplished Without Passion
Miles Davis, one of the most famous jazz artists of our time, decided to quit Julliard and focus on making new innovative sounds. Afraid of disappointing his father, he learned something that could be considered substantial.
His father told him,
“Miles, you hear that bird outside the window? He’s a mockingbird. He doesn’t have a sound of his own. He copies everybody’s sound and you don’t want to do that. You want to be your own man, have your own sound…. You know what you go to do and I trust your judgment.”
His father was trying to convey a very important message that can be useful no matter what industry or business you may eventually find yourself in. You must trust your own intuition and abilities. You cannot be swayed by just earning a paycheck or settling with the more conventional route because it will be more stable or secure. You will constantly be mimicking others and not truly showing your nature abilities.
Without this passion or drive, you cannot be an innovator. A business is truly a reflection of its leader. You must not only return the investment to your stakeholders monetarily, but to the employees and customers that pride themselves in investing within your values.
“Do what you are good at, do what you love, and do what you believe is worth doing. If you can align your own values with those that you champion at your business, this alignment will give you the strength to overcome any obstacles that might be in your way”- Brewing Up a Business
Miles Davis believed in his own talent and those equally great surrounding him. He learned that the "best role models and teachers are ones whom you admire to such an extent that you lose any aspirations of emulating them"; but, learning to find the value within yourself. Life and passion is truly summed up by using the entire box of crayons. You may not be perfect; but, you are a limited edition. Your passion will inspire not only your own talents, but those you surround yourself with. As Steve Jobs once said,
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life. And the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work and the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking, and don't settle. As with all matters of the heart you'll know when you find it."