7 Things Prince Taught me about Life & Work
Posted on August 24, 2021 by Brian Kail, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
Reflections on the life and success of the musician, and artist Prince, and what this can teach us about achieving our own goals, and success
Since the news of the passing of Prince Rogers Nelson, known to the world as Prince, last week, I have been listening to his music, and reflecting on his life. Just a few years younger than me, Prince, and I shared several things. Like Prince I was a young musician who played multiple instruments, including drums, organ, piano, and trumpet. Like Prince I am a singer. I am also a writer of music. Both Prince and I live in the twin cities. But unlike Price, around the age of 28 I left music behind and focused on a business career.
As I consider the short, but incredibly successful life of Prince, I feel Prince was a model for a successful life. Here are some reflections on what Prince taught me about life and work.
1) Make your Passion your job: Prince loved making, and performing music. His first album was released in 1977. He continued to write, and perform until his death last week. Prince produced 37 albums since 1977. According to some sources close to Prince there might be an equal amount of music in his vaults at Paisley Park that are yet to be released.
2) Success can have periods of failures: In 1999, Prince released “Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic” an album aimed at commercial pop success. It included several big name guest appearances by Gwen Stefani, Eve, and Sheryl Crow; Prince also completed a “sensual” cover of Crow’s 1996 single “Every day Is a Winding Road”. The album never met expectations. But Prince moved on, and would produce several albums that had very limited success until the release of “Musicology” in 2004, which reached number 3 in US Chart positions.
3) Bring people together: Prince was inclusive. Like his music that was a unique mix of many influences, Prince’s band members, and fans are a rainbow spectrum. Prince’s music loved by both black, and white fans.
4) Be Generous: Prince had a long history of being generous to people he knew, and the community. At a recent press conference, a local police spokesperson, Sheriff Jim Olson, Carver County, Minnesota, described Prince as a “good neighbor” at his Paisley Park home, studios, and offices.
5) Be Creative: Prince was not only creative in his music, but in his style. Could anyone else have thought of building a pair of sunglasses that included a 3rd lens for the 3rd (mystical) eye?
6( Keep flipping it forward: Prince’s musical style was never stagnant. His style rotated from soul, funk, ballads, hard rock, and even hip hop. Prince was never bored, and never boring as he kept morphing. Each change in direction, and style was done his own way, and with great craftsmanship.
7) A Life’s Value is not measured by Years: Age 57 is a young age to die. But Prince lived a long life in his time here. The measure is the joy brought to others. The embracing of being different. The giving back to others. The positive message that is sent out.
Reflecting on the passing of Prince, I must say for me I feel there is more celebration of his life, and work than mourning. Prince loved doing what he did – creating, and performing music. His output body of work was huge, and we may have only heard half of what Prince produced. He had great success, but also persevered through failures and setbacks. He continued his work, and his love of music until his departure from this world April 21, 2016. Prince left us with a legacy of music, delivered as only he could. And in this we can rejoice, and continue to hear him speak through his greatest love – his work – his music.
Author: Brian Kail, MBA, CPC is a Career and Business Coach. For more information see AscendProCoach on the web
