It’s All Connected – Part 2
In last week’s episode and blog post, I shared my experience of the connection between our creativity and our personhood. What is going on in our lives really does have an effect on our creative output. I have heard so many music students say they don’t feel creative, and they question whether they should be studying music. I’ve been there, y’all. This is a normal part of being in music school. The answer to whether or not you should continue is - Yes! You absolutely should! It is entirely possible that what you are feeling as a lack of creativity is from the stress you are currently facing in school. Our brains need space to process new ideas. This is nearly impossible when you have exams to study for, new music to learn, rehearsals to attend, performances to give... It’s exhausting just thinking about flexing those creative muscles after all that!
Give yourself space and show yourself grace. You will be creative again!
Today’s post is much less intense than last week’s, and hopefully really encouraging for you. Today, we’re going to discuss how the job or jobs you are working now as you’re in school and/or waiting for your dream job or career to take off are very likely preparing you for your end goal.
My career path has been quite circuitous. While I was in college just out of high school, I worked in fast food. During the time I was a stay-at-home mom, I sold Mary Kay, Premiere jewelry, Mary Kay – again – worked in retail and was a waitress. During a gap in teaching jobs, I spent a summer working at a local water park making registration passes. I believe that was my most miserable summer ever. Shortly after that, I was hired at my church as receptionist. I was also pianist there and had a private studio in the church’s fine arts school. I worked as receptionist for about 3 years, including a few months that I was admin assistant for worship and arts.
It was during that time that I finished my Masters in Music Education and re-entered the teaching field. So how did all of these jobs help me in my current career as a piano professor?
Selling makeup and jewelry taught me to be bold in asking for what I wanted. My business wouldn’t grow if I didn’t work on it. I’m not naturally a salesperson, so this was and still is out of my comfort zone. Thus, it was a very useful lesson! I have used these skills in growing my piano studio over the years. You HAVE to market yourself if you’re going to grow! (I might do a whole episode on this. Let me know if that’s something you’d be interested in.)
Working in fast food, food service, and retail taught me to read people well – especially my retail jobs. I learned how to diffuse tricky situations and calm down angry customers. I learned how to gently word disappointment and how to stick to policies when someone is insisting that the policy is ridiculous. Again, this was really helpful when talking with parents in my studio who didn’t understand the policies. This is helpful when dealing with students who don’t understand why they have to take certain classes or why they can’t be the exception to the rule.
As church receptionist, I gained so many useful administrative skills that I still use today. I learned how to use Excel, Publisher, and Canva. I loved all the digital organization that was part of the job, and I still refer back to these skills in organizing my music library and designing social media posts.
When I was receptionist, I was also the face of the church in a way. I was often the first person that visitors spoke with when they called or when new members would come in to meet with the pastor. It was important for me to present myself professionally – both in my appearance and my demeanor – both of which are ULTRA important now as a college professor. When I go out in public, I am representing my university. When I am interacting with my students whether in the classroom or individually, professionalism is key.
You might have to look a little harder to find it, but think about what you are doing now in your job that will serve you in your dream career? Not what you’re learning in school – that is obviously already centered around what you want to spend your life doing. But if you are working while you’re going to school, you’re probably not in a job you want to have the rest of your life. And this can potentially feel defeating. You may wonder WHY you have to do this and HOW it will benefit you – other than paying some bills and maybe giving you a little extra cash. What long-term goals will this retail job or fast-food job or maybe car wash job or babysitting job help you to reach?
You might have to search a little, but I can guarantee you that you can find something - some skill that you are learning now that will be useful. I strongly believe that everything in our lives is connected. The lessons we learn in each stage of life are preparing us for what is next. Nothing is wasted.
So, let this be an encouragement to you if you are in the preparation stage of your career. You ARE learning skills that you’ll need in the future.
Maybe that skill is to not quit when it gets tough. Grit is a much-needed character quality in this work.
Maybe it is how to interact with people, and if you’re an introvert you struggle with social interactions.
Maybe you are learning what you DON’T want to do in your career.
Maybe those ‘grunge’ jobs are motivation for staying focused and not giving up on your dream.
Also remember you might not be able to see the connection now. You might not see it until you are in your dream job and something you are asked to do reminds you of where you are now. And then, you’ll have that “aha” moment and think, ‘THIS is why!’
It’s all connected. Keep going. Don’t give up. The things you are learning now will serve you in the future.
