Planning and strategic thinking is key to meet your goals. Choose 5 of these life lessons learned from chess and list how you can apply each one to your life right now.

Career

Think like a chess player.

From drumming on late-night TV, recording in the studio, and flying to Poland in between, see what a day in the life of musician Amir "Questlove" Thompson is like!

Watch what a day in the life of a musician is like.

Talk to the music teacher at your school about what you're interested in and ask if there's a band you can join. No music at your school? Find some friends and start a band on your own.

Day to Day

Join a band--or start your own!

Musicians

Play one or more musical instruments in recital, in accompaniment, or as members of an orchestra, band, or other musical group.

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Second Interest High-Point

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

First Interest High-Point

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Third Interest High-Point

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Musicians, Instrumental

Musicians, Singers, and Related Workers

Musicians and Singers

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers

Specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music.

Play musical instruments as soloists, or as members or guest artists of musical groups such as orchestras, ensembles, or bands.

Sight-read musical parts during rehearsals.

Audition for orchestras, bands, or other musical groups.

Provide the musical background for live shows, such as ballets, operas, musical theatre, and cabarets.

Transpose music to alternate keys, or to fit individual styles or purposes.

Promote their own or their group's music by participating in media interviews and other activities.

Make or participate in recordings in music studios.

Compose original music, such as popular songs, symphonies, or sonatas.

Practice musical instrument performances, individually or in rehearsal with other musicians, to master individual pieces of music or to maintain and improve skills.

Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.

Listen to recordings to master pieces or to maintain and improve skills.

Arrange and edit music to fit style and purpose.

Accordions

Acoustic guitars

Alto horns

Alto saxophones

Amplifiers

Autoharps

Bagpipes

Banjoes

Baritone horns

Bassoons

Bb clarinets

Bongo drums

Bugles

Capos

Cellos

Clavichords

Clip-on microphones

Cymbal stands

Digital tuners

Double basses

Drum mallets

Dulcimers

Electronic metronomes

English horns

Euphoniums

Finger picks

French horns

Guitar stands

Handbells

Harps

Harpsichords

Instrument mutes

Instrument tuning forks

Kettle drums

Laptop computers

Mandolins

Maracas

Marching bells

Marimbas

Mellophones

Musical cornets

Musical flutes

Musical organs

Oboes

Orchestral cymbals

Personal computers

Pianos

Piccolos

Sheet music stands

Sousaphones

String cutters

String winders

Stringed instrument bows

Synthesizers

Tablet computers

Timpani

Trombones

Trumpets

Tubas

Vibraphones

Violas

Violins

Wooden drum sticks

Xylophones

Apple GarageBand

Appointment scheduling software

Avid Technology Pro Tools

Avid Technology Sibelius

Blogging software

Email software

Facebook

Financial tracking software

Instagram

iZotope Ozone

MakeMusic Finale

Microsoft Word

Snapchat

Twitter

Web browser software

YouTube

I got accepted to Julliard in New York, but because of my financial situation I couldn't afford to live in New York City.

Drummer

What do you wanna do with your life? an accountant, blah, blah, blah. take in life is not necessarily the one friends from the U.S., England and America to figure out what they wanted to find how how they found their way. things in the last year and a half, going to journalism school, I thought about going to film school. degree in philosophy or and being a teacher. or a religious educator. there are a couple more, probably. is very exciting and very scary. figure it out in the next 30 days. headquarters. I was crazy. to high school with, in school, you know what I'm saying? I was such a smart ass. to always introduce myself as Damon Dash. they'd be like, and? saying I'm Damon Dash. of time in your life when you maybe didn't was that I was gonna be rich. You know what I'm saying? gonna make my money. that would present themselves and that I never wanted to have a boss. be paying me money like I was the boss. >> Entrepreneurial spirit? to have this swagger, you have to have the best girls, the best jewelry. to get those things, so a stoop, I used to hang out on the corner, you know what I'm saying? how could I knock this hustle? the harder times, like growing up maybe? ever happened to me have been anymore pain than anybody else did but [BLEEP] hit hard. like when as a child, I lost my mother and I was obliterated but I became fearless. I was scared of already happened. one of my things was, damn, my mother would take care of me, who's gonna take care of me now? been the moment I turned into a pure, you felt most successful, and why? the dumber you know you are, I'm like damn but now, ridiculous amounts of success. but from the outside people look at you as our generation, for your culture. are there still things that you fear and >> Nothing, I mean even on a personal- when it's all said and done. just the day you were born, appreciate a lot of things. cuz I went through, I saw so much. money, I know how it feels to struggle. a lack of something, so I appreciate it. is just because I fought for it. you know what I'm saying? You know what I'm saying? if you don't know what you wanna be or you have to go live it. a degree, have to start from the- Despite I went to, I started from the ground up. better than everyone who's doing it. that anyone's done but to me, made me the man I am today. are the things that I sell. you're gonna do the right thing or what goes around always comes around. you want them to do unto you and they're gonna lie to you. somebodies gonna steal from you. always be honest, no matter what. and good things will come to you. work ethic, you have to work hard. anybody to give you anything. like 100%, some people believe in things because they wanna make a dollar. believe, give us five minutes. perspective than you guys because I didn't $1 billion, that's just money hungry. you don't know what he's been through, so yeah, our morals clash, because we didn't grow up like him. grew up in Harlem, big difference. he was towards money. >> Almost solely, that was it. >> But at the same time, just honest about it, finally, into it, cuz I think we all agree more or think it's important to think about it, know where it comes from down at police headquarters. >> Where is that again? interesting experience. born on the west side of Manhattan when nearly what it is today. story environment, where there to Queens, because it was so bad. were all in the US Marine Corps. I kind of wanted to do that. the first time for a police cadet program. graduates into policing. police cadet class ever. interesting job for me. loved being a cop. the action, the activity. going to a call, somebody with a gun or whatever. it's exciting and that I had in the Marine Corp. of work and I guess I'm one of them. not, don't think about it. them happy, what they wanna do. because they had family do it or they go to the family school. time ideally if you can sit back and it's not about money. a decision based on money. longer that important in this society. I've got more than this guy and so what? who has more than you. focus on it, just the right thing for you. that you find attractive, are where you're gonna be happiest. the worst morning of my life. a dessert in the middle of Manhattan. gonna knock on someone's random condo or those three glass buildings? we wanna hose off. of Greenwich Village with Meier's swanky building who have made this had a basement in their house and I would make drawings. model airplanes. was what I wanted to do. things, I wanted to contribute to society. if that's possible in architecture, and I never looked back. to do and I feel very fortunate. and one thing led to another and so from, but somewhere, somehow it appears. see things that perhaps we wouldn't see our perspective and our perceptions. think you're attracted to that? I make drawings or collages. the world no matter what it is. of order, try to take a certain and give it a sense of order. as I said, can reach out and that desperately needs it. much to be proud of. things for you and professionally and finish that's the most satisfying. on a house in Palm Beach. on that house as I was on it always will be. there's nothing I can do there anymore. happening now that are the most exciting. all of the things that I've done I still gonna do next week, next month. I know what are the things we're doing, you won't have enough to do. to speak to our generation of what they wanna do with their passion, there's so many things you can do well, do it and what your attitude is about it. this is what gives that's what they should be doing. the drummer for The Roots and sort of the last minute decision. we're gonna wing it back to Philly, and it's kind of a last minute change, but a lot, plays a lot of instruments. successful feels a sense of completion. mission to stay ahead. insatiable by nature, or not, the fact that I'm sorta like going 300 miles per hour. a tally of how many miles I've done, I would imagine 17 years ago. every day from like three to five hours. won all those Grammy's, Wyn Marsalis had also won and man, just turned the channel. you know as I stand here I really Want making me practice eight hours a day. >> Oh my god. >> And I knew that my father's plan for Roots to my father until probably 1992. Philadelphia, had a shoebox out there, that was Donald Trump city. theater and go to McDonald's afterwards. all we wanted to do. I had those feelings of anxiety. we're not gonna make it. a crossroads for me because, but because of my financial New York City and attend that school. flipping over, okay, you get the pillow. had to learn for three years. eventually the ray of light came in 1999. focus of what the end result, not what there's something else better than this. above water level and not drown. I just wanna be recognized. remembered in the history books. fortunate to have longevity. each year is like Russian roulette. record label from just pressing the button our heads off was the fact that these best records of the year whatever. in over 300 critics pools. how to be a chess player. like two members of my group just the last three weeks. of the most crucial, lucrative times? you need to consummate it in April. >> That way, during the slow down period your children, we won't be on the road. life is proper planning. grew up with was either dead or none of them are around. minds are both doing 25 to life. little bit of pride in front of a female. to properly plan out your life. of time to reflect, which is crucial. you actually can pour all of your energy like and I'm still figuring out even if never really lived like that before. Kevin Costner. we're getting out west and of Chicago my whole life. the open road just driving for hours and road in some ways. know what's ahead of you. to go forward unhindered, and to turn back if you desire. American culture in the last few weeks, that present itself and build eventually can make a real difference. something and you'll feel it. interested in that but, oh, I'm not sure, find where your limit is and more information on Road Trip Nation, and go to pbs.org. 

<p>The Canadian team reaches New York City where they interview Damon Dash, hip hop mogul and entrepreneur. Next they interview Ray Kelly, NYPD police commissioner. The team also has the opportunity of meeting with Richard Meir, architect of the Getty museum. The team heads back to Philadelphia to interview Ahmir ?uestlove Thompson, drummer for The Roots.</p>

New York City - Philadelphia

I don't know if anyone who's truly successful feels a sense of completion. mission to stay ahead, always work, more, more, more, more, more. insatiable by nature or not, the fact that I'm sort of like going 300 miles per hour, and a tally of how many miles I've done. I would've imagined 17 years ago. I got my first drum set when I was eight. every day from like three to five hours. won all those Grammys, Wynton Marsalis had also won. we'd just turned the channel. as I stand here I really wanna making me practice eight hours a day. >> [LAUGH] Roots to my father until probably 1992. Philadelphia, had a shoe box out there, out that was Donald Trump city. girl to the movie theater, that's all we wanted to do. I had those feelings of anxiety. we're not gonna make it. that was a crossroads for to Julliard up in New York. couldn't afford to live in New York City [SOUND] okay, you get the bed, [SOUND] you get the pillow. three years and then, of light came in 1999. of focus of what the end result, not there's something else better than this. above water level and not drown. I just wanna be recognized. remembered in the history books. fortunate to have longevity but each year is like Russian roulette. record label from just pressing the button slice our heads off, was the fact that best records of the year, or whatever. this album got Album of the Year and player, and even my girlfriend rags me. had children in the last three weeks and of the most crucial lucrative times? like if you two wanna have children, >> That way during the slow down period of you can have your children. that's just how I think. I gotta think 12 steps ahead. life is proper planning. was either dead or greatest thinking minds are both doing, a tiny bit of inebriation and in front of a female. plan out your life. 

Chance

Dedication

Doubt

Fulfillment

Goals

Hard Work

Passion

Planning

Pressure

Success

Interview

I started drumming at the age of two. when I was, ah, I was eight. father's plan for me a top session musician. of The Roots to my father We literally played had a shoebox out there. I had those feelings of anxiety. you know, "We not going I mean, my father I mean, eventually, we had some sort of focus not what the end result there's something else And that is what enabled us And not drown. 

Focus

Ahmir Questlove Thompson Highlight

I think at the end of the day I just wanna be recognized. remembered in the history books. fortunate to have longevity, each year is like Russian roulette. a record label from just pressing to slice our heads off was the fact ten best records of the year or whatever. 

Opportunity

Risk

Russian Roulette

This industry taught me how to be a chess player. had children in the last three weeks. that June is one of the most crucial. >> Lucrative, crucial lucrative times. if you two want to have children. >> That way, during the slow down period you can have your children. to life Is proper planning. grew up with was either dead or none of them are around. two of the greatest thinking minds just a tiny bit of inebriation. in front of a female. to properly plan out your life. 

Choices

Values

Chess

Artistically, I'm satisfied. nasty double standard industry. entering our prestige artist phase. have to understand about, in the eyes of executives. you might survive, you might not survive. ice-cold, all about business and that you don't wanna acknowledge. 

Money & Financial Security

Art and Business

No one has all the tools and the resources to make something happen. a pessimistic thing or whatever. the fact that I'm not gonna to sell diamond records. the new single by The Roots. cool with the truth, I mean, are just, they're disillusioned. and they're determined. I also believe in actual reality. this is what you're working with, 

Societal Pressures

Cool with the Truth

Success is just stopping your job for 15 years and still being cool with it. in those 15 years if you had them. trick me into taking off days. we have a four day gig in Palm Springs. it's cancelled, just enjoy it. that I don't even know, when I'm not working. 

I mean, above all, I mean, my personal motivation is critical acclaim. that it is critical acclaim prevented a record label from just the guillotine to slice our heads off. Magazine's ten best records of the year, I would kill The Roots, in over 300 critic's polls. motivating factor, God, I'm pathetic. 

Ahmir Questlove Thompson

Drummer

Videos

Ahmir Questlove Thompson

Milestones

Career

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Art

Music

Being Creative

Hurdles

Challenges I Overcame

Financial

Interviewed By

Uncertain, Undeterred