The big question that a lot of starting out people ask is how much time is too much time?

The answer to that is there is no such thing as too much time to spend on your music. The careers of many a star today started by their dedication to every possible moment they had in the studio or practice. It takes giving a lot of things up but the rewards are greater in the end then what you have to give up and the rewards are possible to attain.

Many people starting out lack a confidence in themselves or they somehow get to believe that the ones who have already made it are different then they are. They could not be so wrong as to feel that Beyonce, Alicia, Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson or any other star is different as far as being able to achieve their goals. The only
difference is that they are there and you may not be yet, and the key word is " yet ". Another difference may well be in the time they dedicated to getting there that you may not be willing to.

So how can you tell if you have what it takes to make it and then should plunge head first into working extra hard to doing it? There are some thing to look for that are clear indications. One is do you have management that is dedicated to you. To the point that they are willing to go the extra mile for you in all things? If established professionals in this business believe in you then they may have a good reason to.

Another is can you see where you have grown in your skills and abilities in the past six months that you have been working at it, if you have been at it that long?

Lastly, is this what you want to do and want it not because of the money that is possible, but because it is important to you as a person to do it?

If your answer to those questions is " yes" then you have what you need to make it, you just may need to start devoting more time to it.

What are things you can do in order to help your career then?

1. Be an asset to yourself and your management. Simply put, work hard and do not be a pain in the rear to your key career person helping you, your manager. They know what needs to be done in most cases, so follow their lead and their request and do it. For some this may mean growing up and laying aside some childish ideas and notions, but you will win in the end.

2. Never leave a project undone. It is getting late and you have to work the next day so you need to leave before a song or a sessions is completed. No problem, be back there the very next day. Why? If you wait too long then the ideas you had the night before will chance being lost even if you have written them down. Better to work an idea while fresh.

3. Do not stop learning or trying to get better. Work on your delivery, style, range and control and do not sit back and be happy where you are as someone out there may get ahead of you. If you have management who are skilled at the above areas then pester them to teach you, do not make them have to beg you. Too many " Diva's" and would be Male Super Stars fall into that and kill their own chances of a career.

4. Work on other music related skills. Learn the instruments, the sound board and all other aspects of the business. Become valuable to your own career.

5. Do not put your social life ahead of your career. There will be plenty of time for parties, but you have to make the most of your time for your career if you are going to have one someday.

No one can promise that you will be a star, but failure to do any of the above will indeed limit your chances of it ever happening.