“Every era has its defining moments. Every generation has its icons and heroes whose great inventions capture hearts and minds with their cultural contributions."
"Our friend Tim Bergling (1989 – 2018) was one of those bright shining stars who impacted the world with the music he gave us. Through his music he shared his joy, his pain, his passion and in a short time I would see the tremendous impact our collaboration would have on the world and it would change my life forever. Thank you, Tim.”
"Our friend Tim Bergling (1989 – 2018) was one of those bright shining stars who impacted the world with the music he gave us. Through his music he shared his joy, his pain, his passion and in a short time I would see the tremendous impact our collaboration would have on the world and it would change my life forever. Thank you, Tim.”
This was the eulogy for Tim at the Avicii tribute concert, held in Stockholm, Sweden on December 5th 2019. The whole production is so incredibly moving that I’ve literally been watching it on repeat almost every day since. If you love music, I'd encourage you to take a peak:
The title of this post is 'Do Stuff That Matters.' Now in case you're wondering why it is so important, let's put things in perspective.
Let’s contrast Avicii’s legacy with one of my very senior ex-colleagues once mentioned to me that every single piece of work he had ever done and all the late hours he had ever worked, make zero bit of difference to the world today. If he hadn't done it, society would be no better or worse off. Ouch!
Granted his role was fairly admin-orientated but still. He is intelligent, has an excellent degree, is very personable and extremely hard working. On paper, his role was fairly prestigious too. On a daily basis, he rubbed shoulders with the senior management and Board of FTSE-listed organisations. In reality, he was nearing retirement having felt that he accomplished nothing. Do you want to reach the end of your career with the same sad story? Trust me, he was pretty bleak about it.
Let’s contrast Avicii’s legacy with one of my very senior ex-colleagues once mentioned to me that every single piece of work he had ever done and all the late hours he had ever worked, make zero bit of difference to the world today. If he hadn't done it, society would be no better or worse off. Ouch!
Granted his role was fairly admin-orientated but still. He is intelligent, has an excellent degree, is very personable and extremely hard working. On paper, his role was fairly prestigious too. On a daily basis, he rubbed shoulders with the senior management and Board of FTSE-listed organisations. In reality, he was nearing retirement having felt that he accomplished nothing. Do you want to reach the end of your career with the same sad story? Trust me, he was pretty bleak about it.
Back to our friend Avicii and thinking more deeply about it, I wonder if he would leave us early? Reading the lyrics from “The Nights,” perhaps he always did but wanted first to leave the world with this one message:
One day my father—he told me "Son, don't let it slip away" He took me in his arms, I heard him say.
"When you get older, Your wild heart will live for younger days, Think of me if ever you're afraid."
He said, "One day you'll leave this world behind, So, live a life you will remember."
My father told me when I was just a child, "These are the nights that never die."
One day my father—he told me "Son, don't let it slip away" He took me in his arms, I heard him say.
"When you get older, Your wild heart will live for younger days, Think of me if ever you're afraid."
He said, "One day you'll leave this world behind, So, live a life you will remember."
My father told me when I was just a child, "These are the nights that never die."
If ever there was a chance to learn vicariously, for me, this would be it. In life, money will likely come and go but time is something you will never get back. Given our careers occupy the largest portions of our lives, can you really afford the time not to follow your passion?
Avicii (Tim Bergling), Steve Jobs, Walt Disney were all normal people who followed their passions so vehemently until they created a legacy. Converse to my colleague's experience, think how exhilarating it must feel to change the world for the better.
What legacy will you leave behind?
What will people say during when you pass? Will they talk about how much money you made or will they talk about who you helped and how many lives you changed for the better?
Avicii (Tim Bergling), Steve Jobs, Walt Disney were all normal people who followed their passions so vehemently until they created a legacy. Converse to my colleague's experience, think how exhilarating it must feel to change the world for the better.
What legacy will you leave behind?
What will people say during when you pass? Will they talk about how much money you made or will they talk about who you helped and how many lives you changed for the better?
In closing, I’ll leave you with more inspiring words from Avicii’s concert eulogy.
“Its amazing to see how Tim's music affected so many people. I'm not sure if Tim even realised how much his music meant and means to the world.
Me and Tim used to talk about love, we used to talk about our fears and we used to talk about our dreams. And we had this one dream about starting a band. Just write songs and play them live, with live instruments, in front of a live audience. And here we are.... You did it, Tim!”
Skin-tingling words. Every time I hear them, I literally well up with tears. Thank you, Tim!
Do stuff that matters,
Alex @ The Tippy Top Blog
“Its amazing to see how Tim's music affected so many people. I'm not sure if Tim even realised how much his music meant and means to the world.
Me and Tim used to talk about love, we used to talk about our fears and we used to talk about our dreams. And we had this one dream about starting a band. Just write songs and play them live, with live instruments, in front of a live audience. And here we are.... You did it, Tim!”
Skin-tingling words. Every time I hear them, I literally well up with tears. Thank you, Tim!
Do stuff that matters,
Alex @ The Tippy Top Blog
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