How do you know you're on the right path when you make big life changes?

I love to make products that bring me and others joy.

I've strived to deliver world-class experiences on a wide variety of products over the years from mobile and connected device applications, to videos, photographs, songs, t-shirts and most recently music lessons.

I look for content that lights a fire in my heart. A torch so big that it puts a smile on my face that can't be erased. I need to see it in myself before I can share it with others.

Over the last 6 months I've been crafting individual music lessons for my clients. This includes one-on-one teaching, instructional videos, song transcriptions, co-writing sessions and the occasional “ear” for people that want to vent about their day before bashing out some AC/DC. We barely play music sometimes.

This brings me and my clients capital-J Joy!

Back in May, a band called The Linda Lindas played a show for NPR for the Los Angeles Public Library's AAPI Heritage Month. 4 girls, ages 12-16. Someone sent me a link, “You will love this!"

Cool! Fun! I clicked on the video and my heart exploded.

In 2 minutes and 6 seconds (including the song intro) those 4 young people created, laugher, anger, joy, movement, smiles, sweat and camaraderie, out of thin air.

Magic.

I made a lesson for their song “Racist, Sexist Boy.” My YouTube subscribers loved it. They shared it! THE BAND SHARED IT! I got requests for more songs by them. (I’m working on it!)

A few days ago I got a FB message on my teaching site from someone that follows my page.

“I made this video with my daughter, I’d like to share it with you.”

I clicked the link. It’s a father and his daughter playing the first song he’s ever learned on guitar. They’re wearing sunglasses, they’ve got the swagger down! They are frankly 1000 times cooler than I’ll ever be.

My heart exploded.

Did I make the right leap into a new career? Is this a new career or just a new path for the joy that I’ve always wanted to share with others?

I hope you’re well,

John

John McNicholas