Select Page

How to Have a Life and Succeed in Music

by | Mar 1, 2012 | Blog, Career, Music | 3 comments

“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?

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/BMMCDQJCMIEHFGVJKQCB2JDWRU Scarlton

    Thanks for the great post.  The section about flexibility with the link to the WorkLifeBalance article was spot-on, at least for me.  I always find myself seeking balance through either achievement or enjoyment, and my need for each shifts throughout the year.

    However, I have an issue with the Jeanette Mulvey – “Mind Your Business” post that was linked in your finances section.  I agree that debt and materialism can be destructive (as all imbalances are), but I think most of the points in her her article are awful–particularly for creatives.  She seems to advocate the kind of stiff-headed dogma that urges people to favor a life of stable mediocrity over the pursuit of their greatest potential. For example, she says:

    “It’s time we realized that not everyone can be a video game developer or a sports marketing agent….Rather than finding your passion and following it, make doing a good job your passion.”

    This part was particularly irksome because I know a couple of people who abandoned lucrative, “necessary” jobs to work their way up in video game companies, and they are undoubtedly better off for doing so.  And for years I ignored my impractical desire to work in the music industry, and worked at a seemingly stable corporation, trying to make “doing a good job my passion”.  It turned me into an angry zombie.  When I left that company to work with music, I became visibly happier and more balanced.  (While the corporation eventually dissolved during the recession.)  

    This was just one example. Mulvey’s article contains many more areas that should infuriate those of us who wish to transcend this kind of bread-and-water work ethic.  (Such as advising parents against sending their kids to piano lessons in favor of doing more useful work!)  

    Your writings are extremely informative and enjoyable to read.  I have no doubt that your perspective resonates with many artists.  So why link to an article that implicitly discourages the spirit of creative endeavors?

  • http://stevegrossmanonline.com/ Steve Grossman

    Thanks for writing Scarlton. I appreciate the kind words and accurate perspective on Mulvey’s piece.

    My reason for linking to it was the bold and direct way she tackles the very real issue of the “you deserve it” mentality ruining people’s lives. In my book I talk about a young couple getting two cars and a bigger house than their parents (who didn’t by a home until they were in the 30’s) and finding themselves trapped in “bread and water” jobs by debt. I felt she did a great job of saying wake up, you don’t NEED everything and stop thinking you do.

    Admittedly, that made me gloss over the points you bring up and I totally agree with your perspective. To flip part of what Mulvey says on it’s side, I believe we have an obligation to fully explore the freedoms given to us by a world where we are no longer bound to: “For most people, for most of history, work is your life.” I encourage everyone to search long and hard for the answer to why we’ve been born into the most opportunity full time in human history with the gifts, talents, and passions we’ve been given. There’s a reason, and the reason matters not just for us, but for our world.
    Thanks again for reading and challenging. I truly appreciate it Scarlton.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/BMMCDQJCMIEHFGVJKQCB2JDWRU Scarlton

    Hi Steve, Thanks for your great response!  The importance of financial responsibility should be seriously stressed, and I think you accomplished this very well.  To be fair, Mulvey touched on some good points, but the sneering tone kind of undermined them for me.  As someone who has to deal with constant “Why don’t you get a REAL JOB?” phone calls from my parents on a weekly basis, her attitude hit too close to home. 

    Thanks again for providing such wonderful support and resources.  I look forward to checking out the book.