Love is nice, Passion will get you an oppurtunity

When I was searching for a job, I would lay awake at night and just think. Sometimes it was a pitty party I won't lie, I would sit there and whine to myself, and say things like "Poor Paul, you almost had that one, Poor Paul you are so talented, Poor Paul you work so hard." Sometimes it was anger words that probably aren't the best to use. Most of the time though I thought about my passion, and those were the most sleepless nights.

Passion is such an interesting word, its a lot like the word love, depending on where you put, how you use it and how you say it can really make the word. Love and Passion are two different things that have similar symptoms. I've spent about a million times more nights awake over passion then love. Passion is essential to success anywhere in life but especially in broadcasting. If you want to succeed in broadcasting, ditch the love, reserve it for your family,friends and for that special someone, because they will love you back, broadcasting won't.

Unlike most professions loving what you do isn't enough in broadcasting because unlike other professions there isn't a ton of on-air gigs,in the current state of regional news sources from cable companies and voice tracking on-air gigs are like oasis's. When an oasis appears on the horizon comes around everyone and I mean everyone applies. In conversation I was speaking with my boss to find what made me stick out, I feel lucky to be even able to take this opportunity, not only did broadcasters from around the country apply, those looking for a career change did too, even a brain surgeon. Yeah thats right a brain surgeon. Everyone wants to be an on-air personality there is the myth of high pay and lots of fame...don't believe me? You will be shocked how many people will say "If you ever need a co-host or a guest I think we would be great together!" when you get your first opportunity. After a few days of people finding out I was half expecting my grandmother to say it. This phenomenon is why passion is so important, because you need to prove you are more thirsty than these other people. If you just love broadcasting its not going to get you anywhere but another rejection, but after a few of those you won't be loving it so much anymore, and you will probably quit.

Developing a passion younger is important because you are going to have to start at the bottom of the totem pole, but when you have the passion to learn, to watch and to adapt, you will never get a single cup of Coffee in your life, because you'll be more valuable than that...you might have to pick up lunch a few times.

I think I made my point, passion will be a running theme throughout my writing because there is so much more to explore. I have some show prep to do, but I want to end this with my first tip, these tips are sometimes mine sometimes stolen, but only tips there is never one way to accomplish your dreams.

Tip 1: Don't do it for the money,and don't go into broadcasting with the perception there ever will be money. because simply put you're never going to get you opportunity when you're thinking 100K and you are only going to be crushed when you think 50K, and you'll feel lucky when they say 25K. I remember a conversation I had a good friend of mine Nancy when I was working with Radio Disney going into my Junior year of college, when I remarked "oh yeah I see no reason I shouldn't be making 50k right out of school..." her response kind of upset me at the time...paraphrasing "Honey, you're an idiot if you think that." but thats back when I loved broadcasting and my passion was still budding...three short years later I can defiantly say, I was beyond naive. Who knows though...nothing is set in stone. Keep at it and if you get that share, please share.


Have a good night
Paul