Life Is Like Music — The Fold Pre and Pocket Ace Principles

What should I play?

Which songs to practice?

Which instrument to master?

Which genre to pour my soul into?

Time and energy are limited. You can’t do it all.

But I’ve realized this isn’t just a music problem. It’s a life problem.

And that’s why I call it the Fold Pre Principle and the Pocket Ace Principle.

The Fold Pre Principle — Don’t Play Songs That Aren’t Yours

In music, sometimes you find yourself practicing pieces you’re not really into:

“I should learn this because everyone does.”

“I need it on my resume.”

“A real musician should be able to play this.”

But here’s the truth:

If your heart’s not in it, your fingers won’t cooperate.

Practice turns into a chore.

The stage feels like a burden.

And the audience can feel it too.

Life is the same way.

We force ourselves to stay in jobs we don’t love because “it looks good.”

We keep relationships alive out of obligation.

We pursue paths because “that’s what people do.”

The Fold Pre Principle says:

“Don’t even start playing the song.

If your heart doesn’t respond, it’s not your song.”

Quitting early is the ultimate act of efficiency.

It saves time, energy, and emotion.

The Pocket Ace Principle — The Moments That Make Your Heart Explode

But sometimes, there’s the opposite experience:

A song gives you goosebumps the first time you hear it.

You pick up an instrument and your fingers dance as if they’ve always known how.

You’re composing music at 3 a.m., and you’re not even tired.

That’s your Pocket Ace.

In those moments, everything becomes clear:

“This is it.”

You’d pour in hours, money, energy — because it feels right.

The problem is, people often hesitate even when they recognize their Pocket Aces:

“What if it doesn’t make money?”

“Maybe it’s just me who feels this way.”

“I’m scared because it feels too important.”

But life’s biggest wins happen when you’re willing to go all in when your Pocket Ace appears.

Legendary trader Stan Druckenmiller once said:

“The greatest trades look blindingly obvious after the fact.”

Music is the same.

When your song becomes a hit, people say,

“I knew it would work from the start.”

But in that crucial moment, nobody can guarantee it.

Only your own heart whispers:

“Go all in.”

Life Is About Finding Your Song

I’ve spent years forcing myself to play pieces I didn’t love.

Because they were famous.

Because people told me I should.

Because it felt “responsible.”

But the result on stage was always emptiness:

“This isn’t my music.”

Yet when I played the songs that set my soul on fire — everything changed.

No matter how challenging, I smiled through the practice.

The stage felt electric.

And even after the performance, the echoes stayed with me.

In those moments, I wasn’t playing music.

Music was playing me.

Life is no different.

The Fold Pre Principle says:

“Don’t force yourself to perform songs that aren’t yours.”

The Pocket Ace Principle says:

“When your heart hears its song — play it, boldly.

That’s where your greatest stage awaits.”

What’s Your Pocket Ace?

So let me ask you:

Are you forcing yourself to play music that doesn’t move you?

If so, it’s okay to fold pre. Let it go.

Or…

Is there something that makes your heart race, your fingers tingle, your soul light up?

Even if it’s risky?

Even if no one else understands?

That’s your Pocket Ace.

Bet on it.

Because that’s how you find the stage where you belong.

And that’s how you create your greatest performance in life.