Success, Opportunity, Carl, and Kenny G

A couple of weeks ago I celebrated my anniversary by taking my wife to see one of her favorite musicians - Kenny G.

Now, I have to be honest, I was dreading the event. It was a surprise and I was doing this solely as a gift to my lovely wife. I was willing to suffer and endure anything to make her happy! Okay, so I'm laying it on a little thick here, but suffice it to say, I was thinking about what it would be like to listen to two and a half hours of saxophone! I mean I was seriously considering smuggling in a radio and an earpiece so I could listen to the radio (of course I would have placed the earpiece on the side away from my wife)!

But I didn't. I went and decided to "make the most of it."

Now there are a couple of lessons I learned. First of all, don't judge a book by its cover. Sure enough, we get in there and I'm looking the crowd over and thinking "Yep, this is going to be a tame crowd." You have to understand, this concert was being promoted by a radio station that calls itself (insert deep, breathy voice here) "Smooth Jazz." Wrong! They were whooping and hollering. It was a pretty lively crowd.

The second thing I learned was that this was completely a great concert! I thoroughly enjoyed myself and would highly recommend that you go if he is ever in your area. See, we never stop learning, do we?

Ever the person looking for success lessons, it was easy to get the first one. Kenny G is obviously an extremely talented individual who is reaping the reward of countless hours of diligent practice. That is a lesson for all of us.

But the greatest lesson I learned that night came at a moment most people probably overlooked. I call this lesson the "Success, Opportunity, Carl and Kenny G" lesson of success.

About midway through the concert Kenny G began introducing his band. He started with his piano player who has been with him since high school. Next, he introduces the keyboard player, Carl. Kenny G explains that Carl is the newest member of the band. He has been with them for only two years. Before that, for nine years, he was the guy who set up the piano and keyboards for the piano player! No one even knew that Carl could play the piano. They simply thought he was an electronics and sound wizard.

One day, after everything had been set up at a concert, the rest of the band left to get ready for the show but Kenny G stayed behind to work through some parts for that night. Suddenly he hears the piano and keyboards behind him and assumes it is his piano player so he keeps playing along. When he decides to ask a question, he turns around to find - Carl the sound guy! So Kenny G says, "You know how to play the piano?"

"Every chord of every song you do, all the way through the concert," replies Carl.

So Kenny G auditions him right there and guess what? Carl is now a part of the band! Kenny G also noted that Carl's pay increased 8000 percent! Officially now, Carl is my new hero!

What did I learn from that about successful people? A few things:

One, humbly perform the duties you currently have. Nine years Carl worked at a job that isn't known for its high esteem. Thankless, long hours and low pay come to mind. But with humility, Carl did his job with pride. That is a lesson for all of us.

Two, constantly work hard to increase your ability, even when it isn't being rewarded. While you are going about a low level job, work hard all of the time to get better and smarter. Become more highly skilled. Work at it more than anyone else. If Carl had given up playing because he thought he was as high as he would go, he could have never stepped to the plate and hit that home run that changed his life!

Three, when your door of opportunity opens, walk boldly through it! It will happen. There will be a time when the door of opportunity swings widely open for you. The only question is whether you will be prepared and bold enough to walk through it successfully. You have to be good enough to deliver, and bold enough to try. Are you?

In review, here are the lessons I learned from Carl and Kenny G:

1. Don't judge a book by its cover.

2. Two and a half hours of saxophone isn't so bad.

3. People who listen to "smooth jazz" can holler too!

4. You can find success stories anywhere, even at a Kenny G concert.

5. Humbly perform the duties you currently have

6. Constantly work hard to increase your ability, even when it isn't being rewarded.

7. When your door of opportunity opens, walk boldly through it!

About The Author:

Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.

To see Chris "live" at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on the subject of Secrets of Influence go to http://Chris-Widener.InspiresYOU.com/ or call 800-929-0434.

More Resources

Everyday People Are Accomplishing Their Dreams - Now Its Your Turn!
If you can do anything in this time in your life what would you do?I mean the sky is the limit. You have all the money you need, your bills are all paid and right now you have the opportunity to do whatever you want.
Who is Directing You?
Recently I had the opportunity to meet a long term mystic. During a lecture he was presenting on a mystic's role in society, he uttered the words "inner warrior," while looking directly at me.
Are You a Sheep in People Clothing?
Many people, who feel that they are independent and communicate well, are actually sheep in disguise. Are you one of them, how do you tell and how do you go about changing if you are?When you are able to confidently stand on your own two feet, you become in control of your own life.
A Lesson in Letting Go
Do you hear yourself saying? When I have enough money, I'll..
Perception Is Reality
"We think, therefore we are."God always gives us what we expect.
Character or Reputation
Character or Reputation. When we see these two words together, we often mistakenly believe that you cannot have one without the other.
10 Powerful Tenets Of Personal & Professional Leadership Using The Law Of Attraction
Leadership is an innate ability in all of us. Using the principals of the Law of Attraction to strengthen our leadership and consciously use it in our personal and professional endeavors will not only attract more success to us it will allow us to be of service to others and make a valuable contribution.
Demanding Miracles
Have you ever had an overwhelming problem or issue? Was there some circumstance in your life that seemed beyond your ability to handle it? Have you ever called out to God, Buddha, guardian angels, The Force, your higher self, Mohammed, Mother Earth, whatever name you give that spirit? To find an all-encompassing name without prejudice towards any one belief system, I'll just hereby use the word 'god' to refer to whatever or whoever it is that you pray to for assistance and guidance. Have you cried out to your god for help and guidance with some crisis in your life? Did you get an answer? Did you get help?When we get the help and assistance we've just asked for, we assume all is well in the heavens.
Self-Divine-ation: Defining a Divine Future!
In some of my counseling and coaching sessions, my clients ask me to perform a reading to tell them their future. In many cases, my response is, "why don't you tell me your future?" They stop and stare, speechless.
Ending the Internal Conflict
If you read personal growth or self-help books at all, including mine, you've been taught to identify what you want to have. You've been instructed to focus your intention on what you want because what you think about is what it drawn to you.
Who Wants to Work?
I feel a loss when pragmatism wins over the mystical. There is a greater magic at work when you engage with Source.
How To Know You Are Living Your Dream
How To Prove To Yourself That You Are Going After Your Big Dream.I have a personal story to share with you that happened not that long ago.
What Do You Want Out of Life?
What are you willing to give up in order to achieve that?We have all heard the old saying that there are no free lunches, right? Well, that is so true that it could have been one of the Ten Commandments. In order to receive anything we must be willing to give something and the amount that we receive is directly proportionate to that which we are willing to give - be it material things or time.
Yes You Can
If you could change one thing in your life today, what would it be? Why don't you have some of the things you'd like to have, and why do you have some? What's the reason for the inconsistency?Do you find yourself wondering what people think of you? Has that line of thinking ever made you doubt your abilities and your potential?Do you ever catch yourself thinking 'I can't do that, I'm not good enough' or 'that level of success and prosperity is for them, not for poor old me', or other similar thoughts?One thing you must realize is that your success in any venture starts with your thoughts about it. If you think you can succeed (in losing weight, stopping smoking, securing a high-income- paying job, finding your ideal partner, etc, etc), you're already on your way to getting what you want.
If You Want Others to Like You, Like Yourself First!
Many of us mistakenly believe that it's wrong or conceited, to think we have any good qualities. We may spend a lot of time berating ourselves for our negative qualities, thinking that self criticism is the key to improving our performance.
Get More Personal
Most folks who know me, know that when people write me I always like to write back and show how much I appreciate the message. I do stay busy, but taking the time to write back is something that's very important to me.
Make the Eat and Earn Connection
If you've ever thought about wanting to increase your physical energy and wouldn't mind increasing your financial as well, you have to read this right now!Focus #1 - Name Your Hunger/Want/Desire/Achievement? You know what you want to change better than anyone else. It is that nagging voice in the back of your head that speaks to you every time you go against it (i.
The Winning Combo!
What do we all strive for in life? Success! Success is the ultimate destination. Every one of us has the good intentions and capacity to achieve something but we lack the follow-through.
The Top 10 Roadblocks to Attracting Prosperity and what We can Do About Them!
If it were easy, everyone would do IT; everyone would have IT.That "IT" is prosperity and we're all trying to achieve that stage in our lives where wealth, health, success are a daily part of our lives.
7 Ways To Make You Feel Good Instantly!
How are you feeling now?The answer to this question determines how much moneyyou will make, how big your house will be, how beautifulyour car will be, how well you will manage your relations,it determines every aspect of your life.WHY?I am glad you are asking why, because knowing why is goingto be your first step to higher level of awareness.

More Attraction Information:

Related Articles

The Real Secret of Attraction
The secret of attraction is the unconscious hope for healing and understanding. This is why we are so discriminating in our choice of a marital partner.
How To Invite Positive Change In Your Life
Gnothi seauton,, said Socrates. "Know thyself.
A Sweep of Vanity: How To Burst Your Own Bubble
"Hoy-day! What a sweep of vanity comes this way!" --William Shakespeare, "The Life of Timon of Athens"If there's one characteristic we hope we don't have, it's vanity. We'd rather be considered aggressive, driven, petty, even mean than have others feel that we think too much of ourselves.
Searching for Higher Ground: 24 Hours to a Better Life
There's a moment in one of my favorite films, Searching for Bobby Fischer, where 7-year-old chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin's chess teacher knocks all the pieces off his chess board, in an effort to get him to concentrate deeper on the way the pieces on the board were strategically aligned.As the pieces go flying, scattering noisily about the room, Josh is at first stunned that his teacher would have done such a thing.
A Story Of Unbelievable Persistence
Dick and Jay sat on the ground outside the shed. The rain pelted down on them.
Prosperity on Purpose for a Purpose
Whilst everyone seems hell bent on becoming "wealthy" at all costs, the desire to become prosperous has seemed to fall to the background.I see building ones wealth as very one dimensional.
Your Life and Prosperity Are In Your Reputation!
"Your good name and your reputation are EVERYTHING! ? Protect them at all costs!" my father used to say to me when I was a lad.Even at a young age, I knew there was something important in what my dad was trying to tell me.
Transformational Counseling - Part One
Transformational Counseling is a process of assisting others to transform their lives. Transformational Counseling is a process of assisting others in their reinventing themselves, of creating a life that they love and living it powerfully.
The Fastest Way To Manifest Your Desires
Is there a way to change your life condition, and manifestyour desires at the fastest possible speed?YES! Definitely! There is a secret that can make youmanifest your desires in the fastest possible wayyou can imagine. I am going to share with you thissecrets now.
Attraction Tools for Success: Manifesting Your Intentions
There are several books now that discuss the power of thought and I have been experimenting with the concept for the past few years. I understand the concept that "like things" attract more "like things".
Dreams
When I was a kid sitting in school I can remember looking out the window daydreaming of mountains, and skiing. These were just a few things I dreamed of doing.
I Like to be Unreasonable
"Progress is made by only unreasonable man" -- Gorge Bernard ShawUnusual is something people dislike to have in their life. It is a change design to alter all the circumstances and environment around you.
Achieving Your Vision of Abundance
How can we have more abundance in our lives? It begins by noticing the abundance that we already have.We cannot experience abundance yesterday or tomorrow.
You Teach People How to Treat You
So often we hear people ask the question, "Why does he/she/they treat me/us so badly?". The honest answer, in most cases, is "Because you let him, her or they!"If that seems too simple an answer, think of it this way.
Why Character and Integrity Are So Important
It's been said that character is defined by what you do when you think no one is watching. What an illuminating concept that is.
Awaken The Genie Within
Ancient lore tells us that there's a magical genie who lives in a lamp and the person who possesses that lamp has the power to invoke wishes and desires beyond our wildest dreams.If I told you that Genie lives in you, would you believe me? Maybe not.
Creating Your Own Destiny
If you don't know where you are going, you won't know how to get there. How can you get a sense of purpose or meaning in life unless you have dreams or visions of what you want to achieve? Goals are dreams with deadlines, which propel you on your journey of self-discovery and self-achievement.
The Art of Perfecting the Life
First of all, you have to trust that you are perfect at the core of your original mind, at the centre of your heart. Pull out the energy from the thoughts of your own unworthiness which the personality has acquired through the unconscious identification of memory.
What Image Are You Projecting?
I want you to think about something for a few moments. Do you have any perception about what sort of image you are projecting? I'm talking about the personal or professional image that you are presenting to the rest of the world.
Small Steps And Golden Stones
It was a long walk but someone had to do it. And today it was upto Tori to carry the water from the river, through the fieldsand across the valley, back to the camp.