Though we can all listen to and enjoy music, it is not a calling for everyone. Thanks to technology, the world has seen an increase in the number of ‘musicians’ today who are more concerned with making money and a name for themselves than the music they create. According to Anil Dobani, artists who have a calling for music care more about the message they send through their songs.

Anil Dobani says, “A true calling is hard to fake. Even though every person experiences slumps, your true calling always rises above the doubt, stress, and burnout. Moreover, genuine musicians always have a message to pass on to the universe, an emotion to express, and hearts to touch.”

Here are four signs that tell you music is your calling, as explained by Anil Dobani:

Music makes you feel complete.

Most human passions are tied to fulfillment. To say you’ve found your passion, it needs to be something that makes you feel complete and at peace. “If music does this for you, then it’s your calling,” says Anil Dobani. He also highlights the importance of feeling complete when listening to and playing music. Passion surpasses everything and helps one overcome the mountains of challenges they might face along their journey.

You are good at it.

Granted, you can always practice or take classes to improve your musical skills, but Anil Dobani says that it has to start somewhere. “Being good at playing an instrument or singing naturally can be a telling sign of your calling,” notes Anil. Even as the ‘nature vs. nurture’ debate continues, Anil believes that you can nurture your talent without discounting the influence of family and environment. “Being around music from a young age doesn’t mean you become a musician, but that may be a pretty good sign if you’re good at it.”

You’re very open-minded about music.

Music is an ever-evolving art form, and though you don’t need to conform to every trend, it is essential that you have an open mind. Different genres have different values, paces, and overall feels. “Being a musician means being able to appreciate different musical tastes and exploring them until you find your home base in music,” notes Anil Dobani.

You often break down the music you’re listening to.

Musicians often have an overwhelming need to break down music and understand every part that makes a song. This is a quest to learn more about the art form that helps you while creating your own music.

There are several ways you can identify your calling lies in music. However, the one caution that Anil Dobani gives to all aspiring artists is that being a musician entails accepting both rejection and criticism with the same spirit. And if you can’t do that, maybe music isn’t for you.