Be Brilliant Every Day

Bonus (True) Story Busking

Washington, DC metro station on a cold January morning. A man with a violin was busking. He played six classical pieces for about 45 minutes. He was being filmed and, during that time, approximately 2000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After three minutes, a middle-aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried on by.

Four minutes later, the violinist received his first dollar – a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

Six minutes in, a young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again, presumably with a train to catch.

After 10 minutes, ...