The word ‘success’ sits with me often. I’m constantly torn between two worlds. One, where success is judged and praised on monetary value, on the act you are working with, the people you know, the people you just had dinner with, your peers you went behind to get an act, the competition you beat, the biggest income you brought in, how early you are in the office and how late you stay in the office… the list goes on.
Trust me, I get swept away by that, too, we all do, and it would be disingenuous to not admit that I did. “She’s amazing because she is always the first in the office, before anyone else, even with kids!” I heard as an intro at an awards do. An incredible woman was collecting her award, and a colleague was introducing her.
I often wonder if that upset her, rather than being there more for her children a little longer in the morning, because deep down she knew she was in an industry that valued that the most, and then it hit her that she was right, because it was stated by her colleague before she went up to accept the incredible award she so deserved. And the cycle continues…
Don’t get me wrong, everyone has their own needs and aspirations and meanings of success. If it was her passion and her choice and she loved it, that’s great, and that’s my point. It just hit me that this is the very thing we all are part of and ‘expected’ to uphold.
This is what success means for me:
- Proudly and openly talking about being a mum. Talking about my kids without fear of judgement anymore.
- Having my kids with me as much as possible.
- Picking my kids up from school, being there for them, and hearing about their day.
- Seeing my family, friends, my people as much as possible.
- Starting my own business with my brother when everyone thought I was mad (or brave), but I did it anyway.
- Being honest, open, and kind to others and also to myself. Accepting what is and isn’t possible.
- Accepting my partner’s needs are just as important as mine.
- Building and maintaining a roster and a community that understand me, and realising I do my best work for those that get me.
- Saying ‘no’ (that’s a big one), which in turn creates a far better and more meaningful ‘yes.’
- Winning for my artists, of course it is! I haven’t lost that drive and ambition. But I try and do it in the most respectful way I know how.
- Choosing who you work with – and valuing good, honest, straightforward, kind people.
- Standing up for myself and those around me.
- Trying, failing, working on myself, admitting I get things wrong, and learning constant improvements – whether that be through work, parenting, or friendships.
- Laughter at the toughest of times and tears at the best.
- Standing onstage telling the industry I’d had a hysterectomy only two weeks before. I was so scared and vulnerable, but I knew the impact it would have on women. It would have impacted me. Menopause chat next… now that’s a minefield!
I often sit and think about the short time I have in this world. It’s a line that helps keep me grounded and constantly refocuses me on my terms of success.
Do independent companies allow for independent minds? Do they create and influence the terms of success onto the teams around them? Or can one be independent-minded within a corporate set-up? How do you become a company that upholds everyone’s needs? Is it impossible?
Leaders ultimately have a responsibility, no matter what sized company they are building, to set the vision and ethos, and build a team that believes in that vision, even if it’s hard changes to make. It’s the intention behind it, I have learnt, which is the huge responsibility I’m still getting to grips with.
I guess the hope in writing this all down is firstly to hold myself accountable and centred and be a reminder to myself. But by doing this openly, I hope to reach others who themselves are struggling with the word ‘success.’ As, who knows, without realising it, you might actually be the most successful of them all.
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The word ‘success’ sits with me often
Mother Artists co-founder Natasha Gregory ponders the meaning of success and what it looks like to her
29 Nov 2024
The word ‘success’ sits with me often. I’m constantly torn between two worlds. One, where success is judged and praised on monetary value, on the act you are working with, the people you know, the people you just had dinner with, your peers you went behind to get an act, the competition you beat, the biggest income you brought in, how early you are in the office and how late you stay in the office… the list goes on.
Trust me, I get swept away by that, too, we all do, and it would be disingenuous to not admit that I did. “She’s amazing because she is always the first in the office, before anyone else, even with kids!” I heard as an intro at an awards do. An incredible woman was collecting her award, and a colleague was introducing her.
I often wonder if that upset her, rather than being there more for her children a little longer in the morning, because deep down she knew she was in an industry that valued that the most, and then it hit her that she was right, because it was stated by her colleague before she went up to accept the incredible award she so deserved. And the cycle continues…
Don’t get me wrong, everyone has their own needs and aspirations and meanings of success. If it was her passion and her choice and she loved it, that’s great, and that’s my point. It just hit me that this is the very thing we all are part of and ‘expected’ to uphold.
This is what success means for me:
I often sit and think about the short time I have in this world. It’s a line that helps keep me grounded and constantly refocuses me on my terms of success.
Do independent companies allow for independent minds? Do they create and influence the terms of success onto the teams around them? Or can one be independent-minded within a corporate set-up? How do you become a company that upholds everyone’s needs? Is it impossible?
Leaders ultimately have a responsibility, no matter what sized company they are building, to set the vision and ethos, and build a team that believes in that vision, even if it’s hard changes to make. It’s the intention behind it, I have learnt, which is the huge responsibility I’m still getting to grips with.
I guess the hope in writing this all down is firstly to hold myself accountable and centred and be a reminder to myself. But by doing this openly, I hope to reach others who themselves are struggling with the word ‘success.’ As, who knows, without realising it, you might actually be the most successful of them all.
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.
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