In a Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007, a man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about one hour. During that time approximately 2000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
After 3 minutes, a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later, the violinist received his first dollar—a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
6 minutes later, a young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
At 10 minutes, a 3-year-old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time he walked. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.
At 45 minutes, the musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. Twenty people gave money, but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
1 hour after he started, the man finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
Findings: No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.
Joshua Bell playing incognito in the Metro Station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an experiment about perception, taste, and people’s priorities. A question that was raised, “If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made… How many other things are we missing?"
Even in our organizations today, we get so focused on getting somewhere that we forget to stop periodically to ensure we have our attention focused on the right things. What might YOU be missing?
SHINE ON!
