I just read about an interview Darren Hardy (publisher SUCCESS magazine) did with David Foster, the famous music producer who’s worked with Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Beyonce and many others. At 65 years old David continues to work far more than 40 hours per week.
Darren wondered why. With wealth and fame why wouldn’t David take a break? Isn’t the goal to make enough money so we don’t have to work so hard?
Here’s David’s response: “On a Saturday morning, when it’s quiet, there’s no place I’d rather be on the planet – no exotic beach, no lounge chair, no golf course – no place I’d rather be then in my studio making great art. That’s not working. That’s living.”
It seems that what continues to drive Foster is not money; it’s not fame. It’s love. He absolutely loves his work.
He continues, “If you’d rather be anywhere other than doing your great work on a Saturday morning, then you’re probably doing the wrong thing or looking at it the wrong way.”
So what do you think? Is that kind of love for work reserved for just a lucky few or is that something we can all plan for? Would you rather “work” on a Saturday morning than do anything else?
David’s response is amazing. I’m envious. Although, I love what I do as a physician during the week, I can’t say that I would want to do it on Saturday mornings too. As you know Dan, I’m looking to make some changes. Perhaps one day soon, my work, my play, my passions will be indistinguishable from one another. That would be my goal.
Clark – yeah isn’t that an amazing response? You must be close – I see you doing so many things as a volunteer in your field. I’m sure that’s driven more by passion than need to “work.”
I’m something of an idealist … so I believe that working in this way is not reserved for a lucky few, but is for all. It’s easy to have a scarcity mindset about this because we are so disconnected from our true selves and from our place in the world. My thinking often returns to the Garden, to the beginning. Man and woman were placed on assignment—they were to cultivate and draw forth the latent potential of creation. I believe each of us has that unique space, that unique work-cultivation which releases fruitfulness and joy. So I think Saturday mornings can be different! I have to believe that walking with the Creator in the “cool of the day” as a lifestyle will equip us to get more accurate about everything. It’s not always easy. But this is my quest!
Thanks for the post!
Brain – great framing of the concept here. Work is not a curse – it’s working “with” our Creator.
I think that is an awesome response. I believe we do feel alive when we’re doing what we were created to do. Of course, life includes both, but how wonderful when most of life is using your energy on something that energizes you back!
Debbie – so true. Finding that sweet spot of what we were created to do is such a freeing feeling.
I like all the above responses and can relate in terms of “love” what you do, however in show business it depends on many things. Show business is very competitive. For example I have been an aerialist for 24 years and absolutely loved it. Now in transition find it very difficult to find something similar….
I believe it is possible to love your work more than hanging out at home, etc- I’ve seen it lived out in others, and always envied those “lucky” people. I’m not there yet, but am determined to get there!
Dianne – yeah you’re right to put “lucky” in quotation marks because my observation is it’s not as much luck as introspection and planning. Stay committed to finding that for yourself.
I think it has to be linked with a circle. That all has to be in perspective and there are other things that matter as much. Love and relationships, family time and if you are lucky enough to do what you love with an income this is great. I am trying to find my why with all those other things in perspective. i am proud of him for saying that. i hope he shares the other needs within the circle of life.
Dan, I have the conception that we are where God wants us to be. If this is the case then how do we then find the love for what we’re doing, or is it then just a misconception?
Nigel
Oh, Nigel, I beg to differ. Many of us are indeed not where God wants us to be. I was at a profession totally unsuited for me for many years. I think God placed inside me other talents and skills that I was passionate about and when I finally believed this could be an option for me, and stepping out in faith, He started opening doors. I am much happier today than I was 10 years ago relationship-wise, vocation-wise, and spiritually.
Thank you so much Randy. I really appreciate your opinion. It’s always a faith issue and I love that you brought this to my attention. What’s weird is that every profession I was in, linked into the other and brought me here. Thoughts?
Obviously we may have a slightly different situation here in the U.S. than in Capetown. I know things are better there but I’m sure there are still challenges socially and politically. But the great thing about the Internet is you can start so many businesses, podcasts and blogs from anywhere for very little cost. Or use this to supplement existing jobs or businesses. I know there are ‘seasons’ where God does have us in a certain place while He is maturing us to move into others. If I had not been teaching and had summers off, I would not have been home in Ohio one summer where I met a TV producer who later hired me. Those kinds of things we have to trust that God sees the big picture. But I truly believe He has gifted all of us with talents, skills, personalities, that are perfect matches for certain professions, and I think He wants us to pursue those at some point. Dan talks a lot about those natural talents and skills and personalities in his books. My daughter is very social and cannot understand how I can sit at an editing board or computer all day writing books and scripts and editing video, but for me, I love it.
I’m still trying to get to the ‘money’ part with my music. If I could do that, maybe I could finally make a living doing something I enjoy…
A while back I wrote another piece about David Foster. He says he wasn’t good enough to make money as a musician. But he loved music and so he decided to help make other musicians great. Sometimes our success is just a step to the left or right of what we’re trying to do directly. Here’s that post – https://www.48days.com/i%E2%80%99m-good-but-not-great/
Seems like if someone was good enough to help *others*, wouldn’t they be good enough to help themselves as well? I know I’m probably just misunderstanding something either in your statement, or in David’s situation.
Think about John Fox “coaching” Peyton Manning. He is the coach but he could not step in and do with excellence what Peyton does.
But that’s a “physical” thing. You can see and understand the mechanics of being an elite quarterback even if you don’t possess the physical capability to do the same thing. Maybe I’ll have to give up my dream of making a living in music, and stay in a career I hate because at least I can pay my bills…
Actually, maybe I should just pay for career coaching, because I apparently don’t know how to manage a career. Let me save up some money and get back to you…