It is easy to be disorganized as a professional musician. Life doesn't fit into the categories it does with a normal job. Work, hobby, free time, social time, and family all blend together in a crazy tornado. How do we balance the chaos? I think in terms of direction. Where do I want to be? How do I get there? What do I need to be doing today to make forward progress? For me I want to be performing more regularly original music. Things I can do today to make that happen is practice, network, organize my materials on my computer, and schedule rehearsals and gigs. If I do two of those things I have "succeeded" for the day. Woody Allen said "showing up is 80% of life."
When I was younger I thought of goals where I would know that I had "arrived" as a musician. CD at Walmart, playing out every week, and being recognized on the street. To make a living you do have to get to a certain level of success but nowadays I think of playing the music I want, paying living expenses only doing music, and having time to relax with my family as my goals. With this change in my thinking I am a more relaxed happy musician.
If you find you aren't reaching your goals and feel discombobulated perhaps reset your direction. Otherwise talk to a friend or mentor. Life is too short to be in the dumps while doing something as awesome as playing music.
RCM
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