Everyone has to start somewhere. Don’t be embarrassed when you play small gigs for tips. If you’re a new performer that’s what those shows are for. When you’re developing your “chops” there is no shortcut. In a year you will be able to look back and see how much better you got. Give it a few more and you’ll be in a whole different league.

The problem is that we see young performers and think it was an overnight thing. It wasn’t. Even child stars start very young.

It’s always several years of hard work to get good at anything. If you are not willing to put in the time, you should hang it up now. But if you are willing, you will stand head and shoulders above the rest.

Let’s face it; people are generally lazy and want it all now. But that’s not how it works. To get really good at anything takes time. Put in that time. Even when the other people you started with get discouraged and loose interest… keep working.

There will be people who fall away. If they don’t have the same drive they can easily drag you down. I’ve heard successful artists say that your biggest hindrance to your success is yourself. After that it’s the people around you. That’s true. The least motivated member drags the band down to their level.

As you progress, you will find other people like you. Join their band or get them to join yours. Get enough people together with the same drive and motivation, and you can achieve anything.