How to Get to the "Next Level" (Read before asking)

[Sambo]

To reach that upper level, your mind, body, and soul must be one. It takes sacrifice. It takes hard work. It's a way of life.

That kind of quote always reminds me of that sample, used in this song in particular (one for the hard heads out there):

[smiTTTen]

I got into Dj'ing back in the early 90's at the time where house music was usurping hardcore (at least on the UK south coast). I began as a good old fashioned raver (for lack of a better term) attending more underground nights and illegal indoor and outdoor parties. I ended up becoming friends with most of the prominent local DJs and promoters mostly because I had a deep appreciation of the music which seemed to go further than most weekend warriors. I was basically talked into "having a go" by this group so I ended up picking up some old Soundlab DLP3 direct drive decks.

I had the reverse issue to most Djs, I was being offered opportunities to play but I was too self-conscious to play. I was the fat kid (now the fat man) who all the punters knew on the dancefloor rather than in the booth. I eventually did my first house party and played to literally a dozen people and I couldn't stop shaking. Massive, unbridled stage fright (minus the stage). To be honest, I really didn't enjoy it. Couldn't wait to be finished while also fearful of people mocking the mix I had fucked up 20 minutes previously. If all things had been equal, I would never have played out much at all. So why did I continue and why did people continue to book me? Well, my fellow DJs insisted I do it and people were enjoying the music I was playing as it was very different to everyone else who was playing Armand Van Helden, Tony DeVit or that f&cking horrible NightTrain record on Positiva (euch).

Things became a little more problematic as I played out more and became more confident in what I was doing. The Djs who I had come to see as friends were becoming more distant and some were getting outright confrontational. They were behind me when I was their protege but were far less comfortable having me as a peer. There were some ups and down and some very silly drama that went down but we all kept playing. Not long after, I moved to a different country and then a different country again and havent seen much of these guys or the people I used to play to.

TLDR:

• As the OP suggested, getting out there is key. Promoters book people they know and like before they book strangers. If you think you'll get a gig because you're better than the next guy - you'll be doing a lot of thinking and not a lot of playing out.
• Track selection is vital. Why bother showing up if you are going to play the same tunes as the next guy (or playlist).
• Other DJs can be a great source of advice and guidance but they can also be self-centered and competitive.
• Be confident and be preapred to take the shit that will come your way for being confident.
• Don't confuse confidence and arrogance. The latter will break you like a sparrow in a blender.

[DJLiteral]

I'm around Philly where do you spin?

[monogammee]

• Don't confuse confidence and arrogance. The latter will break you like a sparrow in a blender.

Can not get the image out of my head haha.

Also, great advice from everyone! I found it very insightful.