Stop and Smell the Music

My friend Martin Yate, the author of the best-selling Knock 'Em Dead career guides, mentioned in a blog of his about a world-famous violinist who played in a Washington, D.C. subway for an hour to see who would stop and listen:

"The violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played Bach's D Minor Chaconne, one of the most beautiful and complex pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days earlier, he had sold out a theater in Boston where it cost on average $100 to sit and listen to him play the same music." (courtesy of KnockEmDead.com).

The violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played Bach’s D Minor Chaconne, one of the most beautiful and complex pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days earlier, he had sold out a theater in Boston where it cost on average $100 to sit and listen to him play the same music.

Courtesy, www.KnockEmDead,

According to Mr. Yate, only 6 people stopped to listen, mostly children. And although the entry is more of an overall commentary on thinking positive, I do think it applies directly to the 21st century job seeker. Job search can be very disheartening; it seems as though there are 1,000s of applicants for each position and that employers are only hiring individuals who have "perfect match" qualifications out of the range for many of us. So, it seems very reasonable that many job seekers may tend to look at the negatives.

But there is something to be said for taking the time to reflect on one's accomplishments, appreciating the "little things," and having an overall positive attitude. So, as you embark on your job search and encounter some of the possible setbacks, lack of responses, etc., take time to appreciate what you've already achieved and the many things that make life worthwhile, including music.ne of the greatest musicians in the world. He played Bach’s D Minor Chaconne, one of the most beautiful and complex pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days earlier, he had sold out a theater in Boston where it cost on average $100 to sit and listen to him play the same music.

Courtesy, www.KnockEmDead,comne of the greatest musicians in the world. He played Bach’s D Minor Chaconne, one of the most beautiful and complex pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days earlier, he had sold out a theater in Boston where it cost on average $100 to sit and listen to him play the same music.

Courtesy, www.KnockEmDead,com