Some musical directors have more chutzpah. They pick up the phone and talk people into giving. I prefer to call and say 'thank you' after the money has been contributed.
Zubin MehtaRead
Go to the young conductors who are not making it, and you will hear how we shouldn't push ourselves or sell ourselves, how they don't have the right connections and the right opportunities. Well, you can be sure they've had the opportunities.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success often requires seizing opportunities and perseverance rather than solely relying on connections.
In this quote, Zubin Mehta highlights the often heard excuses from young conductors who feel held back in their careers. He suggests that many of them blame the lack of connections or opportunities for their struggles, yet he emphasizes that they likely have had opportunities that they didn't capitalize on. This underscores the idea that success is not just about having the right connections, but also about effort and initiative in pursuing one's goals.
Themes
SuccessOpportunityEffortConnectionsPerseverance
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech to aspiring musicians.
More from Zubin Mehta
All quotes →In truth, I became a conductor because deep down I wanted to conduct Brahms's four symphonies and Richard Strauss's tone poems.
Zubin MehtaRead
Similar quotes
Do you see the consequences of the way we have chosen to think about success? Because we so profoundly personalize success, we miss opportunities to lift others onto the top rung...We are too much in awe of those who succeed and far too dismissive of those who fail. And most of all, we become much too passive. We overlook just how large a role we all play—and by “we” I mean society—in determining who makes it and who doesn’t.
Malcolm GladwellRead
The secret to successful hiring is this: look for the people who want to change the world.
Marc BenioffRead
You know, God gave me a gift to do other things besides play the game of basketball.
Lebron JamesRead
Fame comes and goes. Longevity is the thing to aim for.
Tony BennettRead
Once, a union job at GM or AT&T was a bridge to success. Now, a nonunion Wal-Mart job is a bridge to nowhere.
Andy SternRead
Your income is directly related to your philosophy, NOT the economy.
Jim RohnRead