I have been creating my own income for three and a half decade now. I told in a blog I wrote not too long ago what my typical day is like which, in one word, is: busy. After each day, in the evening, I add up everything I did and I often think that I actually produce something useful. I want to look at that famous glass half full. I want to think that I did what I could and that, somewhat, I have accomplished something. If I don’t, it’s simple, I don’t sleep. But, and here is one of the problem, I am willing myself to think that, because I never know for sure.
Now, when I say I am busy, I need to moderate that statement. Yes, I am busy, but I also have to stay relax because I am very aware that I am running a marathon here, not sprinting to an imaginary finish line. Keeping the race running forever is the goal.
My weeks could be sliced into 6 sections: maintaining my musical skill, promoting my business, teaching my students, keeping my body in shape with a good diet and some exercise, preparing future lessons and spending time with my family. There is not particular order in the list as I have to make each one a priority as the need arise.
I have seen too many times musicians getting overwhelmed. Usually, once they have the skills and they begin to make a living, they become like a kid in a candy store: they gorge themselves with too many duties. Actually, I should say that they gorge themselves with one duty, always the same, which is making more money with music by accumulating gigs or students. Inevitably something gets left behind, more often than not their own health or their family.
So, I do realize that I have to be a one man army, but sometimes the army has to rest and think about something else. That’s where reading books, doing woodwork or building little plastic boats help.
Sharing this aspect of my life might make you think that it weighs on me, but, to the contrary it helps me thrive internally. That’s because I have an Ace in my game as I am playing the cards: I love what I do.
