Learning from Beethoven in 2020

Welcome to 2020! This year marks the 250th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth. You will certainly hear more about this event over the course of the year—at least, you will if you are a little bit interested in music.

Here, right at the beginning of the year, are some interesting lessons we can learn from his life, in case you think you have too many problems in yours:

1. Beethoven’s father became an alcoholic, and his mother died when he was 17. He had to take care of his two younger brothers from then on.
2. His hearing loss started at the age of about 30 and progressed to complete deafness later on.
3. He could not marry his love because of class differences.

These are only three of his problems. What did he do with them? Did he complain and withdraw? Quite the opposite. Despite all adversities, he played at countless performances and “incidentally” composed 722 pieces, including operas, symphonies, and piano sonatas. 

The next time you want to complain about your problems, remember that others have achieved remarkable results under much more difficult circumstances than yours. It is not a question of talent but of personal attitude and discipline to get the job done.

In this sense, here’s to a productive 2020!