“Find something you love to do, and you’ll never work a day in your life”
– Harvey MacKay
The Challenge
One of the biggest musician challenges I see again and again is establishing a proper work/live balance. As true as Mr. MacKay’s quote is, it masks the fact that your love for playing music can get you into serious trouble if you don’t recognize and plan for non-musical things like hobbies, exercise, relationships and eating. Here’s how.
Focus
Start by realizing that you cannot say yes every time a gig comes along. Not only will it completely wear you out, taking the wrong gigs (and many of them are the wrong gigs, will kill your career. Recognize that it is possible to Succeed in Music by Working Less. In fact, there isn’t any other way.
By focusing on the career you want to build and the life you want to have, you can say yes to the right gigs and spend your off time living.
Flexibility
In a post entitled Work Life Balance Defined, worklifebalance.com (yes, it’s an actual site) says:
- Work-Life Balance does not mean an equal balance.
- Your best individual work-life balance will vary over time.
- There is no perfect, one-size fits all, balance you should be striving for.
True work/life balance is managing changing priorities well on a day-to-day or even season-to-season basis. There will be hours, days or even months when most of your attention will be on music. There will be other times when the “balance” shifts.
Merge
When possible and appropriate, merge your work and life – as MacKay’s quote suggests. Just be aware that there are limitations to how well this can work especially in relationships. Watching you play does not count as a date no matter how much your significant other LOVES your playing or singing.
Finances
Lastly, keep your finances in check. Nothing kills work/life balance (and your career) quicker than having huge debts and payments driving your every move.
As Jeanette Mulvey says in her terrific post, Mind Your Business: The Great Myth of Work-Life Balance:
“For the iPad-owning, new-car-driving, going out to dinner three times a week world, I think it’s time for a little reality check.”
Delaying gratification will keep you in control of your career and your life.
What work/life balance methods are working for you?
