Do YOU Have Bon Jovi's Staying Power? Read This & Find Out...

Some three decades ago, I found myself in a tattoo studio. In all honesty, it was more of a ‘joint’ or a ‘dive’, but in keeping with current terms, I’ll call it a studio. I perused the book of images considering what I should have emblazoned on myself.

I settled on a predatory cat; not sure why as I’m neither cat- nor predator-like.

Suddenly another image appeared. This one was in my mind and featured my mother with a look of disapproval. True, I’d been gone for a few months at the time, completing Army basic training and now mid-way through Military Police School, but the joy of the prodigal son’s return would likely be replaced by a less desirable emotion.

I passed on getting inked.

An Army buddy was with me. He was doing the same thing, less the intrusion of the mom image.

He settled on adorning himself with the cover art from the Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet album. It was the late 1980’s and Bon Jovi was all the rage.

After telling the proprietor of his decision he looked to me for a vote of confidence and asked, “What do you think?”

“I don’t think so,” I told my friend. “Sure, Bon Jovi is cool now, but he probably won’t be around for long. Do you want to look at yourself in 10 years and see a washed up singer on your arm?”

Recognizing my brilliance and foresight, my friend cancelled his Bon Jovi order. I helped him to pick something more respectable, more timeless, more…

Fast forward 30 years...

I cringe when I think that there's a businessperson in his forties hoping that no one will notice the Looney Tunes cartoon on his right bicep. Nope, it's not Bugs, Daffy, or any other well known character - it's an uncool, unknown, and unpopular guy.

My apologies to my old Army buddy wherever you are...

Bon Jovi’s Staying Power

I recently heard Jon Bon Jovi interviewed on the radio. Promoting his latest work, This House is Not For Sale. The artist answered questions about selling 130+ million albums worldwide, acting in numerous television shows and motion pictures, giving millions of dollars to charity, and on and on.

Here are three things I've come to learn about Jon Bon Jovi. Arguably, each has contributed to his remaining a household name for 30+ years. I encourage you to take a few moments to answer the questions after each item.

1: Be Productive, Not Just Busy

Since 1984, Bon Jovi has released 13 studio albums and conducted 18 tours. That's the sign of a busy guy, but being busy and being productive aren't the same things.

It's also easy to discard this article saying that Jon Bon Jovi is a talented guy and few are that talented. Setting aside the argument about his talent versus your - suffice it to say that I believe we can all do something extraordinary - if he failed to put his talents into action, we wouldn't call him productive.

Had he not delivered results or failed to capitalize on his assets, we would all agree that the Looney Tunes tattoo was a good choice.

Take a look at this list of hits - it's not comprehensive, but it demonstrates his level of productivity.

• Living on a Prayer
• You Give Love a Bad Name
• It's My Life
• Have a Nice Day
• Wanted Dead or Alive
• Bad Medicine
• I'll Be There for You
• Lay Your Hands on Me
• Runaway

Consider these questions about how productive you are:

• Do you consistently say 'no' to less important things in order to put your energy behind the stuff that matters?
• Do you regularly invest time in things that truly matter?
• Are you caught in the do-loop of busyness?
• What's the last big thing you brought across the finish line? Has it been too long?

2: Be Stretchable & Humble Enough to Make It Happen

At one point in his career, Jon Bon Jovi took up acting. He found a coach, went to classes, humbled himself, and learned a new skill. Doing so demonstrated a willingness to stretch himself.

True, many musicians try to cross-over to acting and vice versa, but few truly prove themselves humble enough to make the stretch happen. I remember seeing him in the movie U-571 back in 2000. Before going to the theater, I heard someone mention that he was in the film. After the show ended, I remember thinking - hmmm...he was pretty good.

Consider these questions about how s t r e t c h a b l e you are:

• When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone? What did you learn?
• What could you do today to push yourself in a new direction or prove your versatility?
• What's something you've wanted to try, but haven't given it a shot? Are you willing to humble yourself to make it happen?

3: Be Loyal to Something or Someone

A band that has been together as long as Bon Jovi, has seen members come and go.

In recent years, Richie Sambora, the band's lead guitarist (and a reported close friend of Jon Bon Jovi) left mid-tour. It wasn't the first time he had taken a hiatus from the group, but this one was unannounced, has proven to be permanent (thus far), and came right in the middle of a worldwide tour. The two had performed together for decades.

When the tour ended, it would have been easy to bad mouth Sambora for his unplanned departure. In an interview a year after Sambora's departure, Jon Bon Jovi simply said, "“He’s gone. No hard feelings. Being in a band isn't a life sentence.”

With the announcement of the band's latest album, Jon Bon Jovi was asked why he didn't simply call it quits after Sambora left, he said “"There was no time to be mad or sad. You had to do it. And as a band we had to circle the wagons because of the resp-ons-ibil-ity” — Bon Jovi enunciates each syllable as though chiding the absent Sambora — “responsibility to each other, to the crew, to the records, to the fans."" (Financial Times)

Some might question Jon Bon Jovi's loyalty to Sambora - there's always people on every side of an argument. Sure, he expressed frustration at Sambora's departure, but his comments about Sambora were limited and he has focused on the remaining band members and his fans. That's more loyal to all concerned than most would be.

Consider these questions about your own loyalty:

• Would people use the word loyalty to describe you? If not, what can you do to earn the label?
• What are you loyal to? Yourself? Family? Business? Occupation? Etc?
• Who can count on you to have their back? Who can you count on?

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All the best- Patrick