I played trombone professionally, in addition to my “real job”, when I was younger. I practiced everyday for 3-4 hours and played gigs all over for little cash. As a consequence, I was mediocre on my “real job”. By the time I was 28 or so, I was passed over for a promotion that would have significantly increased my income. I was told that once I became a professional at my job, instead of playing trombone, I wouldn’t be successful in my career - I had a choice to make. I chose my job, because music didn’t make enough to cover the bills. Long story short, many years later one of my music buddies, now a “top call” trombonist in LA, and I got together to reminisce over business. It came out how much he was making as a top call musician and teacher.... My income, after several promotions after becoming a professional in business, was more than double his! I called my wife on the way home and we laughed at how that one shitty pass up for a promotion changed the course of our lives - financially and the quality time we’ve been able to spend together without me practicing, working, and gigging. That was the very condensed version. I still play and love music, but I have resigned the fact that no matter how good I was or could have been, I would not have had the life that I do now.