Do you lack motivation sometimes?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Hi all,

Something I said on another thread and the way I have been feeling over the last couple of weekends has prompted me to put this up for discussion.

I wanted to know if anyone found it hard at times to get motivated to do the job? Probably more for the full-timers...?

The reason being, after a healthy start to the year with January being busy and the beginning of February likewise...I have found myself for the past 2 weekends, totally narked off. I mentioned in another thread about the other weekend and my visit to other venues because I had a friday and saturday off and this weekend just gone saw me just work on friday night. I couldn't help thinking that being a full-time DJ, I SHOULD be working on a saturday night....but I wasn't. I didn't have any enquiries for that date so it's not my fault, I know that and as from this friday, I am out every friday and saturday now until the end of the year...so that's a good thing isn't it. I also know that I should be grateful for the break and time off but that doesn't pay the bills does it!

The reason I mention lack of motivation is because I think that after having a few weekends off, I will find it hard to get back into the swing of things. Maybe lack of motivation is the wrong thing to say? I actually have a really nice wedding this weekend and I can't stop thinking about it already. I am actually quite nervous about it because I want to do a great job.

It's hard to explain and I am hoping that some of you have some words of wisdom for me. I know it won't be long before I am back in the swing of things as I am going to be mega busy for the rest of the year but it's getting back into it now that worries me slightly. When you do multiple nights (example) say, over christmas....you get more and more confident and you actually get into a rhythm and things flow easily. I love it when it's like that and I want to get that feeling back.

Does anyone have a clue what I am talking about?

Sitting there on a saturday night off when I should be working isn't a good feeling. It's the way I make my living and how I pay the bills and all I can think of is what I would be doing at that time, when I would have left the house to set up etc etc...This saturday I actually popped down the petrol station which is nextdoor to my old hotel residency (I say 'old' because they haven't been in touch with me since christmas so I assume they have now gone with the cheaper DJ? even though I have tried to contact them a number of times). As I walked past the hotel to the petrol station I could see that there was a function on. I looked through the window, saw the DJ (the one who agreed to do weddings at £180.00 and therefore seriously undercut me) and thought that it should have been me working instead. It didn't make me feel that great but then again...I wouldn't work down there for that price so I am contradicting myself.

Someone help me out here. I know what I'm talking about...I just hope you lot do too!

[Steve the DJ]

I understand where you are coming from and agree it isn't motivation you lack, it's probably a touch of trepidation and self doubt creeping in because you don't have the work which is then amplified because it is your sole source of income.

I do lack motivation sometimes but that tends to come in the middle of a run of gigs rather then when I am sat at home.

If I were you (assuming it happens again), I would take some time to go out with another DJ, even if it is just for a couple of hours to give you a bit of that "Saturday buzz" and give yourself a chance to reflect on what you do by watching someone else at work.

I think it would help you keep focussed on what is important, although with bookings throughout the rest of the year you can't be doing too bad... :D

[Megamix]

Well I think your frustration is probably good in a way as you obviously still care and want to do a good job.

Somebody told me he had been djaying for 35+ years and that night pulled out his power lead with his own foot as he doesn’t tape things down - so 35 years and he wasn’t even doing the basics - should make you feel better!

[StarZSoundS]

Hi all,

Something I said on another thread and the way I have been feeling over the last couple of weekends has prompted me to put this up for discussion.

I wanted to know if anyone found it hard at times to get motivated to do the job? Probably more for the full-timers...?

The reason being, after a healthy start to the year with January being busy and the beginning of February likewise...I have found myself for the past 2 weekends, totally narked off. I mentioned in another thread about the other weekend and my visit to other venues because I had a friday and saturday off and this weekend just gone saw me just work on friday night. I couldn't help thinking that being a full-time DJ, I SHOULD be working on a saturday night....but I wasn't. I didn't have any enquiries for that date so it's not my fault, I know that and as from this friday, I am out every friday and saturday now until the end of the year...so that's a good thing isn't it. I also know that I should be grateful for the break and time off but that doesn't pay the bills does it!

The reason I mention lack of motivation is because I think that after having a few weekends off, I will find it hard to get back into the swing of things. Maybe lack of motivation is the wrong thing to say? I actually have a really nice wedding this weekend and I can't stop thinking about it already. I am actually quite nervous about it because I want to do a great job.

It's hard to explain and I am hoping that some of you have some words of wisdom for me. I know it won't be long before I am back in the swing of things as I am going to be mega busy for the rest of the year but it's getting back into it now that worries me slightly. When you do multiple nights (example) say, over christmas....you get more and more confident and you actually get into a rhythm and things flow easily. I love it when it's like that and I want to get that feeling back.

Does anyone have a clue what I am talking about?

Sitting there on a saturday night off when I should be working isn't a good feeling. It's the way I make my living and how I pay the bills and all I can think of is what I would be doing at that time, when I would have left the house to set up etc etc...This saturday I actually popped down the petrol station which is nextdoor to my old hotel residency (I say 'old' because they haven't been in touch with me since christmas so I assume they have now gone with the cheaper DJ? even though I have tried to contact them a number of times). As I walked past the hotel to the petrol station I could see that there was a function on. I looked through the window, saw the DJ (the one who agreed to do weddings at £180.00 and therefore seriously undercut me) and thought that it should have been me working instead. It didn't make me feel that great but then again...I wouldn't work down there for that price so I am contradicting myself.

Someone help me out here. I know what I'm talking about...I just hope you lot do too!

I know exactly what you are saying.We still earn £40 or £50 an hour....and my Dad taught me that that was a lot of dosh.Hard if its your only income.I would be Kakking myself if this was my only income now!!

However you're fully booked...what you panicking for??



You are passionate about your God-given talent.Its refreshing to see;) ;) ;) ;)

[funksoulbrother]

Gary, I know it's easy for others to say, but don't worry.

What you have said in your post does not show that you have got a lack of motivation, but it has shown me and everyone who reads it, that you have 100% commitment, no one could doubt that.

Also, the fact that you are nervous in the week prior to the wedding gig, shows that you care about what you do. I always think that pre-gig nerves helps get the adrenaline pumping to enable you to put on a great show, which is what you are going to do.

In good old show business tradition, Break a Leg, have a good one

:thumbsup:

Richard

[Tony Scott]

I'm part time so don't have the pressure of relying on my gigs as a sole income but I know exactly how you feel Gary.

I used to begin to feel that I wouldn't get back into the swing of things after a couple of weeks off....I would then start to question why I hadn't got bookings when everyone else seemed to be working. Also like you the nerves would start in the week leading up to the next gig and I would worry that I had lost the momentum and wouldn't be able to cut it!

I don't get like this now as I make sure I leave one weekend a month free, I've found I really look forward to this time off now intead of worrying about it.

Before you know it you will be yearning for a cancellation just so you can have a break so enjoy it while you can! :D :)

[Danno13]

I know exactly what you are saying.We still earn £40 or £50 an hour....

I will give a proper reply to the OP tommorow, but I must just call up how much I hate it when people say things like this. If you earn £40-50 a hour, then your actual charge must be way higher than this, or are you conveniently forgetting all the expenses involved in running this business when you quote such an impressive rate?

No prizes here...

[Corabar Entertainment]

:agree:

One of my pet hates, too, Dan :mad:

[StarZSoundS]

I will give a proper reply to the OP tommorow, but I must just call up how much I hate it when people say things like this. If you earn £40-50 a hour, then your actual charge must be way higher than this, or are you conveniently forgetting all the expenses involved in running this business when you quote such an impressive rate?

No prizes here...


I would think that the people that employ us look at it that way Danno!!It wasn't an actual figure....hence the broad parameters mentioned.

I know that you charge a lot more than that anyway??

It was part of a longer post....The min wage is about £6.50 an hour....and Solicitors charge about £200 an hour....we are somewhere in the middle!!:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Corabar Entertainment]

Martin: the point Danno is making (and I agreed with) is that you do not appear to differentiate between 'charge' and 'earn'.... two very different things altogether!
We still earn £40 or £50 an hour....


....min wage is about £6.50 an hour....and Solicitors charge about £200 an hour....

[StarZSoundS]

Martin: the point Danno is making (and I agreed with) is that you do not appear to differentiate between 'charge' and 'earn'.... two very different things altogether!



Got it now.....Apologies!!!:) :) :)