There is something to be said for the importance of being where you belong in life.
When you’re surrounded by the right people and in the right situation, things tend to go well. Success comes easily, and you are empowered to become the truest and most enjoyable version of yourself.
When you aren’t, life can be a difficult struggle in so many different ways.
This simple lesson was the premise for a book by best-selling author Benjamin Hardy called ‘Willpower Doesn’t Work,’ which pitched the importance of environment in contrast to simply trying hard all the time.
Multi-Millionaire Musician Plays for 45 minutes in a Washington, D.C. Subway — Results Were Underwhelming
The importance of environment was on full display as a musician named Joshua Bell took to a Washington, D.C. subway to play a 45-minute set.
Bell didn’t have much of an audience; completely foreign to him in many ways.
A few people stopped, a couple clapped, and the violinist managed to raise about $30.00 in tips for his work, even though he had been playing one of his most intricate works with a $3.5 million violin in hand.
Nobody knew who Bell was, but the story doesn’t end here.
Two Days Earlier, A Much Different Story Unfolded
Two days before his subway concert, Bell played a sold out theater in Boston, with seats averaging about $100 each.
The experiment showed that extraordinary talent does not always shine in an ordinary environment, and is often overlooked and undervalued.
“There are brilliantly talented people everywhere who aren’t receiving the recognition and reward they deserve,” wrote influencer Mitch Sanders on Instagram.
Currently, Bell is musical director of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, and is known worldwide for his amazing playing.
He’s even been on Sesame Street.
Check out why Josh is so successful in the video below!
