I definitely understand valuing your time. I used to do work for people all the time, would do lighting, photography, CG graphic design work, and eventually I was feeling burnt out over all of it. Constantly hoping to secure that next "gig" etc and not wanting to miss out. But when you get enveloped by your work, it starts to suffocate and diverges from what it was supposed to be in the first place (just a fun thing you love that also pays you). So I stepped away from the BS, took a deep breath, and have been mostly focusing on personal projects and creating (outside of my day job). I think you could easily keep renting your gear for a secondary source of income; i.e. constant flow of "free" money, but in order to do that you'd have to hire someone to manage that aspect of your business. You can still make the bigger decisions, but don't have to trade your time for it. Sure you'd have to pay someone else which would cut into your profit, but you'd be making whatever is left over after covering overhead, and you wouldn't have to put in much time. You've already invested your money in the gear, so now it's time to let it work for YOU. Go do the things that you WANT to do, not the things you feel you HAVE to do. If you need more money you can always work part-time or jump back into it occasionally when things are tight. The bottom line is that your mental state is more important than amassing any gear, or getting "gigs" lugging equipment around and spending time programming for something you're not 100% passionate about.
dude I'm 54 years old and In a few months I'll be 55 I started DJ'ing back in the 80's for house party's and college party's Etc... I stop DJ for years thinking the same thing you are stating, DJing took me to more places then I did just sitting around. Collecting gear is NOT a BAD THING. I sold all my old gear and called it retired. But One day I woke up and said I miss the fun and excitement so I bought a few used equipment get a few gig's now I'm back trying to learn a new side of the business lighting I have a few young friend helping out. Long story short you only have 1 life to live share your time evenly and you never to old for this game
Wow. Can’t tell you how much I can relate. I DJ for the true enjoyment of making people dance and have fun. I am 45 now and realized that a few years ago. It really comes down to what you said. Ya got one life. Thanks
Good for you Christian, change can be a difficult and can also be a scary thing but sometimes you have to make changes whats best for you in the future because time is money and money is time. Keep us posted :)
thank you for sharing reality. what ever you have in mind for your personal goals in life. i wishyou the best. this video make me think over, what i am doing... thank you.
Hey Christian, thank you for your words in the last part of the video. As someone who is the same age as you learning LD, how to DJ, and how to produce all at the same time, it's really insightful. I feel like the whole gear thing translates across all of that. Just have only what you need to further yourself in life, and your time is way more important than money. In fact I recently sold a bunch of gear I originally bought for my band that I wasn't using and it was such a relief to let go.
Respect these ideas man. I'm 17, and this is a valuable lesson, to which i probably will listen to, because our age gap isn't insanely large. Maybe it doesn't make sense but whatever. I hope you reach your goals and fuck the bulshit.
Greetings: I just start watching your videos, i just start my Dj company this year here in Tucson Az, music is my passion and Lighting is just other world, all the atmosphere you can create iwith that is amazing, all the equipment you can have is totally valid, I been buying moving heads, DMX controllers, doing test until I hit you and know y have more test to do, more work to do, keep doing that, you have a new fan now.....
I feel you Christian! I'm 45 now and I have a bunch of really basic start up gear that I need to get rid of just to make me feel better....Its a struggle to get good gear as its expensive. I'm still trying to catch up on your old videos.
same boat, I am turning 24 later this month and I know how it feels to have gear sitting around collecting dust... Time is money and time is valuable.... Time to invest in the things that matter....
Hi Christian, On the off chance you check comments on old videos...will you ever be doing the video you mention in this one, about your long term goals? I realize you are probably busy living them out right now but I'd still love to hear the plan! Also, is there a story behind the 'anti lighting lighting club' merch? Just curious what it's referencing :) I love your more personal vlogs like this one, please consider doing more!
lol now that you sold the shit yer gonna get phone calls. I've had a lighting company for 6 years now. the majority of my gear is up lights and wireless pins. anything else I just rent according to budget.
Christian Jackson i hope you find that thing you are looking for for your life, im about 25 and im figthing live to get my bussines to be like yours, and working hard as a civil engineer. bt i dint considerr my achievments as good as yours. im an employee, you hace your own bussines.! thats excellent. well im no going to stop whatching your videos. thanks for blogging!!
I definitely understand valuing your time. I used to do work for people all the time, would do lighting, photography, CG graphic design work, and eventually I was feeling burnt out over all of it. Constantly hoping to secure that next "gig" etc and not wanting to miss out. But when you get enveloped by your work, it starts to suffocate and diverges from what it was supposed to be in the first place (just a fun thing you love that also pays you). So I stepped away from the BS, took a deep breath, and have been mostly focusing on personal projects and creating (outside of my day job). I think you could easily keep renting your gear for a secondary source of income; i.e. constant flow of "free" money, but in order to do that you'd have to hire someone to manage that aspect of your business. You can still make the bigger decisions, but don't have to trade your time for it. Sure you'd have to pay someone else which would cut into your profit, but you'd be making whatever is left over after covering overhead, and you wouldn't have to put in much time. You've already invested your money in the gear, so now it's time to let it work for YOU. Go do the things that you WANT to do, not the things you feel you HAVE to do. If you need more money you can always work part-time or jump back into it occasionally when things are tight. The bottom line is that your mental state is more important than amassing any gear, or getting "gigs" lugging equipment around and spending time programming for something you're not 100% passionate about.
100% agreed!
dude I'm 54 years old and In a few months I'll be 55 I started DJ'ing back in the 80's for house party's and college party's Etc... I stop DJ for years thinking the same thing you are stating, DJing took me to more places then I did just sitting around. Collecting gear is NOT a BAD THING. I sold all my old gear and called it retired. But One day I woke up and said I miss the fun and excitement so I bought a few used equipment get a few gig's now I'm back trying to learn a new side of the business lighting I have a few young friend helping out. Long story short you only have 1 life to live share your time evenly and you never to old for this game
+Darryl James smart guy
Wow. Can’t tell you how much I can relate. I DJ for the true enjoyment of making people dance and have fun. I am 45 now and realized that a few years ago. It really comes down to what you said. Ya got one life. Thanks
This is just like the end of Toy Story 3
Good for you Christian, change can be a difficult and can also be a scary thing but sometimes you have to make changes whats best for you in the future because time is money and money is time.
Keep us posted :)
thank you for sharing reality.
what ever you have in mind for your personal goals in life. i wishyou the best.
this video make me think over, what i am doing...
thank you.
Hey Christian, thank you for your words in the last part of the video. As someone who is the same age as you learning LD, how to DJ, and how to produce all at the same time, it's really insightful. I feel like the whole gear thing translates across all of that. Just have only what you need to further yourself in life, and your time is way more important than money. In fact I recently sold a bunch of gear I originally bought for my band that I wasn't using and it was such a relief to let go.
you’re inspiring as shit. thank you for this.
I love your videos Christian, you are one of the biggest inspirations to me man.
I respect that end bit. I can imagine how it feels man.
Respect these ideas man. I'm 17, and this is a valuable lesson, to which i probably will listen to, because our age gap isn't insanely large. Maybe it doesn't make sense but whatever. I hope you reach your goals and fuck the bulshit.
I'm in Seattle I would love the chance to buy your next clearing house deal
LOVE THIS, mad respect Christian, you're the best
I might be interested in a mixer or cdj for smpte shit for VJ.
lol, im literally like in your same position rn trying to sell some of my bigger gear
Greetings: I just start watching your videos, i just start my Dj company this year here in Tucson Az, music is my passion and Lighting is just other world, all the atmosphere you can create iwith that is amazing, all the equipment you can have is totally valid, I been buying moving heads, DMX controllers, doing test until I hit you and know y have more test to do, more work to do, keep doing that, you have a new fan now.....
Was such a true and great ending! And you had a lot of good points
Real talk hours.
Do what makes you happy man,
chin up bro. your still Young and your whole career is still ahead of you. things will come your way with opertunities you could not have imagined.
I feel you Christian! I'm 45 now and I have a bunch of really basic start up gear that I need to get rid of just to make me feel better....Its a struggle to get good gear as its expensive. I'm still trying to catch up on your old videos.
same boat, I am turning 24 later this month and I know how it feels to have gear sitting around collecting dust... Time is money and time is valuable.... Time to invest in the things that matter....
Saving money for lights..
They are sooo expensive! =c
You do you man (p.s. Looking forward to that goals video)
the zoom in of the scooter
I am 27 watching this and it is BUMMING ME OUT thank you XD
dude!! Make videos everydayy.. i can't wait until you upload one!! Cheers broo
So how much for the truss arches?
Holy shit man, I am in the same shoes as you! Building gear, and never using them properly.
Inspirational.
deep deep..
What Lighting Gear do you have left for sale?
Did you end up selling the trusses that you said you told us to remind you that you should sell like 20+ videos ago?
Are you selling your QSC gear?
Hi Christian,
On the off chance you check comments on old videos...will you ever be doing the video you mention in this one, about your long term goals? I realize you are probably busy living them out right now but I'd still love to hear the plan!
Also, is there a story behind the 'anti lighting lighting club' merch? Just curious what it's referencing :)
I love your more personal vlogs like this one, please consider doing more!
What do you want to do then?
I don't understand.... you stop these work?!
lol now that you sold the shit yer gonna get phone calls. I've had a lighting company for 6 years now. the majority of my gear is up lights and wireless pins. anything else I just rent according to budget.
I was thinking of buying some of that stuff but sadly im broke :'(
lol
nice vids btw
Eh, thanks? :P
EIRE
Eyy :D
Deep thoughts, by Christian Jackson
Did you said you are 24 years old?????
+hperazar yes
Christian Jackson i hope you find that thing you are looking for for your life, im about 25 and im figthing live to get my bussines to be like yours, and working hard as a civil engineer. bt i dint considerr my achievments as good as yours. im an employee, you hace your own bussines.! thats excellent. well im no going to stop whatching your videos. thanks for blogging!!
Are you Action?
I love gear, sell me what you got.
usually you put your foot on the throttle... but whatevs.
probably talking about a motorcycle. People usually call it the accelerator in cars, or a gas petal
:(
you should just hire someone
+Tendy Tree not an option
So do you just have the cdj?
you were drunk in the last part weren't you ?
Destroy what you've built BETTER!