“We’re swallowed up only when we are willing for it to happen.”

-Nathalie Sarraute

The beginning of the school year is often the beginning of the work year as well for many oboists.

For the last few months, you may have had an outdoor concert or two, but nothing too serious. Now the phone is ringing off the hook with wedding jobs, teaching jobs, playing jobs, adjudicating jobs.

All at once everybody wants you!

It is often a satisfying feeling to our egos when this time rolls around and we feel so wanted… But try to separate your ego from what you are agreeing to do and make sure you aren’t getting in over your head with too much driving or too much stress with little reward.

I remember the first fall I lived in Chicago. It was a welcome change to have so many oboe opportunities, but I got swallowed up very fast.

There was one particular day where I drove in 3 states, fought traffic for several hours, and spent 14 hours away from home for very little money and very little reward.

It was nobody’s fault but my own, and I was indeed “willing” for it to happen.

I did learn what I could handle and vowed to never get that needy and “willing” again. It’s different for everyone, but set your “willingness meter” now!