I have a unique gift of the ability to manage things and get stuff done. If I am passionate about something, I will do everything in my power to make it happen the way that I want, without grief. I have already begin to invest myself in it by spending 4 years and thousands of dollars to go to school and better myself anyway I can. I want to be the best person I can, and help people get what they deserve for their hardwork. I have been in the situation where I go above and beyond in something, and give it my all, only to not be compensated or appreciated for my hardwork. I strive to help those to never experience what I have had to experience. Success for myself is defined on my happiness in the outcomes of my project. Even if it doesn’t have the results that perhaps could’ve due to uncontrollable variables, I still feel successful if I know I did everything I could to succeed. My mission for my future is to own my own management firm that helps all artists, and preserves the entire purpose, and that is the art itself. I want to ensure that artists are getting the creative credit that is deserved. I do maintain a positive attitude because I know I will be the successful person I am determined to be if I continue to work for it. The continued opportunity for learning will help me roadmap to success. There is always something more to strive for, and more to learn. The risks reap high reward, so more often than not, you must take leaps to reach for the sky. If you do not succeed, you must keep trying. I plan to continue striving for the most knowledge I can, and learning from the experiences of others in order to adapt those successes and failures for my own success. In this industry, you must continually keep on your toes to ensure you aren’t missing anything. It is a changing game on a fast train, and I am willing to ride that train as much as I can. Its exhilarating to experience everything, including success and failure.

Erik Blomgren

Self-Assessment

What is your unique gift? – Do you believe in it enough to invest everything you have in it?

My most unique gift is an eye for detail, second only to a refusal to give up once I’ve committed myself to something.  I believe in myself enough to invest myself into anything, but none of my gifts in this regard lend themselves to any one thing, and as a result it is rather difficult for me to invest myself in any one direction. 

What difference are you trying to make in the world? – How passionate are you about doing this?

I don’t quite know what kind of an impact I plan to have on the world; I only know that I want to make people happy and that making things run smoothly is the best avenue I have in that regard right now.  

How do you define success for yourself? – What challenges do you face in order to create success?

            Success for me is a pass/fail initiative.  In this regard I sometimes set the bar too high, and end up setting myself up for failure as a result.  In a college environment, success is often more difficult for me, generally due to failings in cooperative initiatives, primarily due to conflicting definitions of success between agencies.  

What is career vision and a mission?

As far as my career and mission goes, I don’t quite yet know what I want to do.  Generally speaking, I want to be involved in management.  I haven’t really gotten much farther past that; I’m also interested in production, composition, and performance, but I have no understanding where I want to take any of those ideas, or if I want to pursue them as a career. 

Can you innovate and creates value and successfully communicate that value to intended audiences?

            I am quite effective at communicating ideas and values and am generally good at maintaining those values for an audience, though I am not always comfortable doing this as it can make me feel disingenuous. 

Do you have a positive attitude?

I generally maintain a positive outlook, though this waxes and wanes depending on my situation.  My positivity often reflects my mood, which has been known to sour on rare occasions, making me a moderately less positive person.  I try to avoid letting my mood impact others around me, however, so this effect is generally negligible.

Have you set your goals? What is your road map to success? Can you set inspiring and realistic goals?

I have set some goals, up to a few years out so far.  My road map takes me to an MBA but beyond that it diverges into a few different directions, and I haven’t managed to establish an order of priority in that regard.  I have some trouble setting goals.  

Do you have and/or acquire the necessary expertise to actualize your vision?

Unfortunately, I have no set vision to actualize; this makes it harder for me to pursue any particular goals or ends.  

What are your priorities? Can you set priorities?

I am decent at prioritizing, as this has become a daily part of my life.  I often find myself unable to do everything that I am assigned in a day, and as a result I end up being forced to prioritize my work.  

What opportunities are you looking for? What opportunities are you creating or intend to create?

I have created some opportunities for myself in orchestra and hall management, though these things are not necessarily the only avenues I plan on pursuing.  

How comfortable are you with uncertainty? What risks are you willing to take?

With uncertainty, I am extremely comfortable; my entire life has been balanced on uncertainty, like this perilous teeter-totter with cliff facing on either side.  Risk is the same to me; it’s all part of the journey.  In this sense I would say that I am particularly risk prone.  If something is safe for me, it generally doesn’t feel inspiring or fulfilling to do, at least not for very long.  

When facing challenges, do you persevere or do you walk away?

            As stated, simple work doesn’t satisfy me for very long; I find work that requires perseverance and effort to be more worth my time.  I unfortunately also find these projects harder to dig into unfortunately.  

What experience have you learned the most from?

I’ve learned the most from my hardest work thus far, being concert hall management.  That said, I’ve also learned a lot about how people work, and about hard labor from working construction.  Both have been rewarding in their own ways.

What actions are you taking to realize your vision? Are you consistently taking action?

On realizing a vision, I have not quite settled.  I am not consistently taking action as I have not quite established a consistently actionable vision.  

How well do you put things in context? Are you able to easily respond to changes in your environment? What’s your best example?

I am fairly effective at putting things in context, and can respond easily to changes, however I am guilty at times of getting emotionally caught up in the little things, and causing problems for myself as a result.  I am not quite sure what you’re asking for an example of here.  Of when I had to put things into context? Or when my environment changed?  Ummm, I had to switch to Euphonium in wind ensemble if that counts.  I also had to switch from Linebacker to Lineman for a football season in high school.  That sucked; I basically had to redo my entire nutrition and weightlifting plan in order to bulk up as quickly as possible.  

What is your plan to continually grow and evolve? How have you grown or evolved in there past year or three?

            I’ve been slowly and steadily evolving in my personal and public lives over the past few years.  My only plan in that regard is to keep moving forward and see where I end up. Not much of a plan really.  

How easy is it for you to reach out to others to ask for support and to offer help?

            Up until recently this has actually been extremely difficult for me.  I have always had trouble asking for help, though I have also had no difficulty offering it freely.  I find I generally want to avoid being a burden, while also wanting to be as much of a help as I can.  More recently I’ve had to become comfortable with asking for help.  

How are you inspiring others to join and/or support your mission in order to create a financially sustainable enterprise that allows you to live your gift and contribute something valuable to society? – If you aren’t currently, how do you intend to?

            I am not currently building an enterprise, but I work hard to support other’s visions in order to hopefully bring them comfort and strength on their ventures. I simply hope that they will return some of that support to foster an environment of creative success and sustainability, that I can then build upon down the road.  

My name is Erik Blomgren, thank you for coming to my TED talk.

What is your unique gift? – Do you believe in it enough to invest everything you have in it?

-My unique gift is my ability to adapt and overcome in any situation. Whether it’s a gig, a job, a personal goal, a career goal, academic goal, I always find a way to plot the course and make it a reality. Yes, I do believe in my gift enough to invest. I invest everyday by being patient, seeing the long term result, and making the small short term steps necessary to get their one day.

What difference are you trying to make in the world? – How passionate are you about doing this?

-The difference I would like to make in the world is to show that anything is possible, I would like to inspire other people to pursue their dreams no matter what! I am extremely passionate about this. I like to think that I am a very patient person. I have many big goals and dreams that I know will take time and lots of hard work. Some things I hope to do one day may seem far out and unrealistic to some people, but I know my passion and determination will get me there one day. The difference I want to make is to achieve my goals in order to show other people that anything is possible through hard work and determination.

How do you define success for yourself? – What challenges do you face in order to create success?

-I define success very simply. Success to me will be doing all the things I love to do, and being financially enabled to live comfortably. The only challenges I face are mental road blocks. I’m very hard on myself which can be good and bad. Sometimes I let it get the best of me which is a challenge at times.

What is career vision and a mission?

-I believe this can be defined as your ultimate long term goal, coupled with your masterplan of how your gonna make it happen.

Can you innovate and creates value and successfully communicate that value to intended audiences?

-Yes this is something I can do, but something I definitely need to work on. It’s not my strong suit.

Do you have a positive attitude?

-Majority of the time yes, I have a very positive outlook on things. I think this is something that contributes to the success I’ve had so far.

Have you set your goals? What is your road map to success? Can you set inspiring and realistic goals?

-Yes, I’ve set my goals. My road map to success includes finishing my education in music and pursuing music beyond college. After that, I do have a few realistic goals that would make me successful but I also would like to not close off any opportunities that may arise. I have a few things I would really love to do after college, but I am also looking for and trying to come up with other opportunities for other things. Yes, I can set inspiring and realistic goals, I have some already.

Do you have and/or acquire the necessary expertise to actualize your vision?

-I believe I do have some of what is necessary, but I recognize I have a lot to learn still. I am confident I will eventually gain all of what is necessary to actualize my vision.

What are your priorities? Can you set priorities?

-As of now, my priorities are music, school, and physical/mental health. Yes, I can set priorities.

What opportunities are you looking for? What opportunities are you creating or intend to create?

– I’m looking for bigger opportunities in music to travel and record. I’ve created some new opportunities with a band to travel to SXSW in march to play some shows and network, as well as a west coast tour in late spring/early summer. I intend to create more opportunities like this in the future.

How comfortable are you with uncertainty? What risks are you willing to take?

-I am pretty comfortable with uncertainty. I am very adventurous and enjoy taking risks.

When facing challenges, do you persevere or do you walk away?

-I always persevere.

What experience have you learned the most from?

-I’ve always learned the most from failed experiences, getting into trouble, basically learning the hard way has always taught me the most.

What actions are you taking to realize your vision? Are you consistently taking action?

-An action I take to realize my vision is to research, watch, daydream, and visualize all the things I want to do one day. This drives me to take the necessary steps to get me there one day. I do this everyday.

How well do you put things in context? Are you able to easily respond to changes in your environment? What’s your best example?

-My answer to the first question in this one is really relative to what I would be putting into context. As far explaining things and putting things into my own words to explain context to someone else, I’m not very good at this and definitely need to work on it. But as far as music, or my own personal actions and thoughts, I am very good at adjusting and putting things into context. I am usually pretty good with changes in my environment. My best example doesn’t really relate to music, but I believe over time has translated into musical context for me. I work for the Ocean Rescue Division of the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department, which is a job that demands the ability to respond to changes in your environment all day everyday. From the constant change in weather and ocean conditions, to the constant change in patron demographic and ability. I believe this has subconsciously translated into every aspect of my life giving me the ability to be diverse and adjust on the fly.

What is your plan to continually grow and evolve? How have you grown or evolved in there past year or three?

-My plan is to continue to push myself in order to grow and evolve. I’ve grown in the past year or two mostly from JU and many new experiences and opportunities musically and beyond.

How easy is it for you to reach out to others to ask for support and to offer help?

-Fairly easy, this is something I do frequently.

How are you inspiring others to join and/or support your mission in order to create a financially sustainable enterprise that allows you to live your gift and contribute something valuable to society? – If you aren’t currently, how do you intend to?

-This is something I’m not currently doing and need to work on. One way I see myself doing this one day is by traveling and sharing my music and message to as many people around the world as I can. I also hope one day to start a successful YouTube channel that allows people to see my journey, and inspires them to pursue their passions!

What is your unique gift? – Do you believe in it enough to invest everything you have in it?

My unique gift is my craftmanship. I would like to invest everything I have in my gift, but I’d like to also diversify my skills. I do not currently have all the skills necessary to run a fully functioning business in which I could utilize my craftmanship, but I’d like to do so in the future.

What difference are you trying to make in the world? – How passionate are you about doing this?

I would like to see a greater variety of instrument options offered to consumers in music stores. When visiting local music stores I found the number of percussion and drum products disappointing. This issue is something that has frustrated me for almost the entirety of my career as a musician.

How do you define success for yourself? – What challenges do you face in order to create success?

I define success based off my personal growth. The challenges I would face are my own thoughts and insecurities and other people’s opinions towards my goals.

What is career vision and a mission?

My career vision is to open a business that offers the aforementioned diversity in instrumennts so many of the music stores lack.

Can you innovate and create value and successfully communicate that value to intended audiences?

I can communicate value through my marketing, pricing, and mission statement. I would like value to be a primary focus for my business model.

Do you have a positive attitude?

I strive to have a positive attitude especially when surrounded by others.

Have you set your goals? What is your road map to success? Can you set inspiring and realistic goals?

I have set many short term goals for my business but would like to come up with a solid road map for the future. I believe I have the capacity to set these goals and pursue them to completion.

Do you have and/or acquire the necessary expertise to actualize your vision?

I have many of the necessary skills I need to create my instruments, but I want to constantly evolve and network with others that have the skills I am looking to acquire in the future.

What are your priorities? Can you set priorities?

My priority is to share my creative vision with others. I can set my priorities easily when they pertain to my passion but I would like to get better at prioritizing things that do not directly correlate with what I am pursuing.

What opportunities are you looking for? What opportunities are you creating or intend to create?

I’m looking to grow my marketing and sales experience. I’m currently looking for a job in sales that would prepare me for owning my own business.

How comfortable are you with uncertainty? What risks are you willing to take?

I struggle with uncertainty but believe I will become more comfortable with it the more time I spend in the realm of uncertainty. Part of this process is taking risks so I plan on trying new design ideas out and collaborating with other artists.

When facing challenges, do you persevere or do you walk away?

I would like to develop greater perseverance. I am guilty of walking away when faced with challenges but I try to always come back and hit them with greater tenacity the second time around.

What experience have you learned the most from?

I learned the most from my internship at Coe Percussion in Tallahassee, FL.

What actions are you taking to realize your vision? Are you consistently taking action?

I’m constantly seeking out new inspiration for instruments and projects. I try to devote at least an hour each day to research and development. I also consistently search for networking opportunities.

How well do you put things in context? Are you able to easily respond to changes in your environment? What’s your best example?

I sometimes struggle to put things into context but almost always grasp the concept after some time. I have always prided myself on adapting to whatever scenario I find myself in. I relocated to Tallahassee, FL over the summer of 2018 and was quickly able to surround myself with a group of people interested in my work and had skills that complimented my own.

What is your plan to continually grow and evolve? How have you grown or evolved in the past year or three?

I plan to continue educating myself through additional sources once I’m out of college. I believe I have learned how to properly accept criticism and apply it to my work.

How easy is it for you to reach out to others to ask for support and to offer help?

I typically do not struggle with getting help. I have realized there is nothing more important than admitting you need help when you are all out of ideas.

If a music entrepreneur’s belief in one’s unique gift, passion for making a difference through music and the willingness to take charge and learn from challenges in order to create success:

What is your unique gift? – Do you believe in it enough to invest everything you have in it?

• I can market myself as a diverse performer. I persuade very well. I sing jazz with a modern flare.

What difference are you trying to make in the world? – How passionate are you about doing this?

• I want to bring back jazz vocalists in a combo setting and bringing people into listening to jazz clarinet with vocals and dance.

How do you define success for yourself? – What challenges do you face in order to create success?

• I define success as bringing my music to others and having my audience react with some emotion. Rejection and people not understanding the point of what I want to do.

What is career vision and a mission?

• I want to create a small combo including upright bass, clarinet/ bari Sax, piano, drums, vocals, and trombone

• My mission is to work hard and network to obtain a great reputation and work with great talented musicians.

Can you innovate and create values and successfully communicate that value to intended audiences?

• Yes, I know how to work the crowd, and I know what people want to see and hear.

Do you have a positive attitude?

• I do, I know things may not always go my way, and I sometimes struggle with that, but at the end of the day I’m blessed to have the opportunities that I’ve been given.

Have you set your goals? What is your road map to success? Can you set inspiring and realistic goals?

• Yes I’ve set goals for my day to day life, for my monthly success, and for my long term aspirations/ goals.

• I believe things are always changing so I cannot have a definitive map, but I can strive to follow what’s in front of me. Currently graduating is one of my top goals at the moment. After that I would like to get my foot in the door with a few equity theater companies during the summer and start performing and eventually directing shows.

• I believe my goals are attainable. I have an understanding of what my strengths and weaknesses are.

Do you have and/or acquire the necessary expertise to actualize your vision?

• Yes, but I am always learning from the people around me, colleagues, teachers, friends, and family. I see it as a tool belt just getting bigger with knowledge to hone in on my craft and further better myself.

What are your priorities? Can you set priorities?

• My priorities are to have a healthy living environment, have a healthy relationship (friends and family), have memorable experiences, better my craft and my understanding of it, and do well in school.

What opportunities are you looking for? What opportunities are you creating or intend to create?

• I hope for my networking skills to land me a job at a theatre company and I also would like to start performing jazz with a combo.

• I am making relationships with the jazz faculty at Jacksonville university, and I am making strong connections with the jazz students.

How comfortable are you with uncertainty? What risks are you willing to take?

• I don’t like uncertainty, but I am willing to take risks if that could mean new opportunities and success.
• I am willing to move to another state or country to pursue my career.

When facing challenges, do you persevere or do you walk away?

• I keep on moving forward. How can you learn if you’ve never failed?

What experience have you learned the most from?

• heart break and disappointment have helped me understand that it’s not always rainbows and butterflies.

What actions are you taking to realize your vision? Are you consistently taking action?

• Yes, I am always trying to soak up new material and meet new people who can help me along the way.

How well do you put things in context? Are you able to easily respond to changes in your environment? What’s your best example?

• I am very quick on my feet. An example of adapting to my surroundings would be during a recent performance my microphone wasn’t working properly and it turned off, instead of worrying about it, I let my training step into place and I project out into the audience to make sure I am heard.

What is your plan to continually grow and evolve? How have you grown or evolved in there past year or three?

• I plan to keep learning my craft and continue growing as a performer and artist. I’ve gotten leadership opportunities, opportunities to choreograph and assistant direct shows.

How easy is it for you to reach out to others to ask for support and to offer help?

• It is very easy for me to ask others for help. I know when I’m wrong and when I need help, I also know my strengths and weaknesses.

How are you inspiring others to join and/or support your mission in order to create a financially sustainable enterprise that allows you to live your gift and contribute something valuable to society? – If you aren’t currently, how do you intend to?

• I inspire to create music with other passionate musicians. I inspire others to push themselves harder by being straight forward and confident in their own decisions. I inspire also by showing my passion in performing and having a successful outcome.