Special offer

Blogging and Social Media Are 95% Hard Work and 5% Talent.

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Above & Beyond

Blogging and Social Media Are 95% Hard Work and 5% Talent.

Some of you who know me know that I have a degree in music education from Cleveland State University. In order to get into the program I had to audition. My instrument was the piano. Because of some scheduling conflicts the only person that could hear my audition was the head of the music department, Andrius Kuprevicius.

nervous at the pianoI don't recall the piece I played but I do remember that it was in a minor key but when I played the last chord, I accidentally played a major chord. I acted as if I had not done that. Mr Kuprecicius looked at me and said "You do know that you played a piece in a minor key and ended on the major chord right?" I acknowledged that he was correct. He then said, "You did exactly the right thing by not flinching and not trying to correct it."

But then he said something that took the wind right out of my sails. He said that if the rest of the music department had been there for my audition, I would not be admitted into the music department, BUT he also said that he saw "great potential" in me. (In my defense, from the time I was 10 years old and started playing the piano until the time I entered college, I had really awful teachers, I just didn't know it and neither did my parents.)

So I started my journey in music but I was not permitted to study with Mr K. until my junior year. I had much ground to cover and so much to learn. I literally knew nothing about music theory, barely knew my scales, could not sight read and music history? nope, not that either.

Finally I was able to study with Mr. K. He pushed me, he challenged me, he even insulted me once in a while, to get me to the next level. I remember a time when I got angry and frustrated and he said to me, "Barbara, playing the piano is:

95 % Hard Work
and

5% Talent

When I played my senior recital I was prepared. I played for 45 minutes, from memory, and some very difficult pieces. Clearly I did not pursue a career in music education, but the education I received, especially from Mr. Kuprevicius was one that taught me the art of achievement.

His words above really resonated with me and it's what I keep in mind now as I strive to learn new things. There will woman climbingalways be superstar athletes, singers, dancers, actors etc.. in this world, but so much can be achieved through EFFORT.

SO WHAT IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT A BLOG IS. There was a time when blogging and social media was new to everyone. Don't know a lot about SEO, tags, links and hyper links, how to embed a video into your blog etc.? So what. If you want to know about it then get to work. If your source for learning, be it a teacher, webinar, coach, or books are not effectively teaching you what you want to know then find another source. This is about hard work. Get to it! Rest assured, you will make mistakes, but again, so what. Mistakes help you get better and stronger.

They make even make you look talented!

Comments(16)

Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Barb:

Lovely inspiring blog post, may I add that consistency is also one of the important parts of blogging, just like you kept practicing for your recital.  Thanks

Dec 07, 2009 02:08 AM
Dianne Hicks
Realty ONE Group - Poway, CA

Great post, it sums it nicely. It is hard work and dedication to make it happen. Get your feet wet a bit at a time until you are ready to dive in and make it happen.

Dec 07, 2009 02:11 AM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Ron and Alexandra. You are so right. When I was practicing for my recital it was 6 hours a day for 6 months.

Dec 07, 2009 02:12 AM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

Great post......and now I'm wondering if I couldn't have been a better pianist if I'd worked harder.  I wish I'd been motivated when I was young and taking lessons!

Dec 07, 2009 02:13 AM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Dianne, You're right, and if you mistakes who cares as long as you learn from them.

Ann, Love the holiday pic! There does have be some level of love for what we do whether it's playing the piano or blogging!

Dec 07, 2009 02:22 AM
Barbara Linick
ERA Troy, Realtors - Hollywood Park, TX

I know exactly what you're talking about... (BME and MM from Baylor University)... music was mostly hard work, just like an athletic endeavor, you have to train the muscles!  I also roomed with a piano major for four years, and NEVER saw her unless I was in the practice rooms too!  After transitioning from being a music educator (for 29 years) to being a Realtor, there's a lot of similarities.  Hard work pays off!

Dec 07, 2009 02:22 AM
Bruce Brockmeier
Internet Marketing Consultant to REALTORS® - Yorba Linda, CA
Coached By Crouch

Blogging and Social Media Are 95% Hard Work and 5% Talent

Very true!  In fact, that same ratio applies to most things in life.

Dec 07, 2009 03:19 AM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Barbara, You are way ahead of the curve and there's no doubt in my mind you already are or will be a very successful realtor.

Bruce. Yes I think you are right about that!

Dec 07, 2009 03:24 AM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Good post Barb.  I agree that social media is a lot of work, but luckily people like you are great at it so it probably doesn't really feel like work!! 

Dec 07, 2009 04:30 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Great analogy, sounds like Dr. Suzuki's philosophy. Some of my kids it came naturally and others had to work harder.

Dec 07, 2009 05:36 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Great analogy, sounds like Dr. Suzuki's philosophy. Some of my kids it came naturally and others had to work harder. But, everyone can learn and appreciate music and blogging. Sorta like writing, some it is easy for and others work on it. But, the more you do it the easier it is.

Dec 07, 2009 05:37 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Great analogy, sounds like Dr. Suzuki's philosophy. Some of my kids it came naturally and others had to work harder.

Dec 07, 2009 05:37 AM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Thanks Jared, as always!

Missy, It does come easier to some than others but it's not rocket science either LOL

Dec 07, 2009 05:41 AM
Diane Daley
Caron's Gateway Real Estate - Northumberland, NH

Excellent post, wish I could say I do it with the 5% talent...  But that is a long way from the truth...

Dec 07, 2009 08:21 AM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Life is all about learning. You can expect to be any good at anything without studying hard and practicing:)

Dec 08, 2009 12:10 PM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

I learned that lesson a long time ago Bill. For me it will always be about hard work and practice.

Dec 08, 2009 12:39 PM