As a music artist and wellness creative, staying focused, especially in what seems like an impending recession, can be incredibly challenging. Many people have no idea how expensive being a music artist and creative is, especially as a woman—mixing, mastering, gear, photoshoots, clothes, hair, makeup, PR, marketing, etc. It can add up. With economic uncertainty for so many of us, it’s easy to become distracted and feel overwhelmed to the point of shutting down or burning out. However, staying focused on your goals and not comparing your journey to someone else is crucial to maintaining productivity and achieving success.
Here are some strategies that I use to stay focused:
1. Prioritize my goals
I prioritize my goals and focus on the most critical tasks. I start by listing all my goals and then determine which ones are most urgent. This helps me stay focused on what matters and avoid wasting time on less critical tasks in that particular moment, day, or week.
2. Manage my time efficiently
Time management is essential for staying focused. I create a schedule and stick to it as best as possible. I set specific blocks of time for working on music, creating wellness content, and other vital tasks. I also make sure to take breaks.
3. Stay positive
It’s easy to become negative and lose motivation. Especially when many of us don’t have the budgets we would like yet, are fighting to find favor with algorithms on all these social media platforms, or don’t have a large number of followers quite yet. I try to stay positive by focusing on what I can control. I focus on my successes and what I have achieved so far. Glass’s half-full approach helps me stay motivated.
4. Collaborate with others
Collaborating with other artists and wellness professionals has helped me stay focused and motivated. I can learn from others and gain new perspectives. Collaboration can also lead to new opportunities that help me grow as an artist and overall creative.
5. Take care of my physical and mental health
Taking care of my physical and mental health is essential. I cannot function or be my best creatively if I’m not well. I make sure to get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and eat healthy. I also practice mindfulness and meditation to reduce stress, keep tabs on my emotional hygiene, and improve my mental health when I have a lot on my plate.
In conclusion, staying focused as a music artist and wellness creative has its challenges, but it becomes easier once you find out what suits you and your lifestyle best. By prioritizing goals, managing time efficiently, staying positive, collaborating with others, and caring for physical and mental health, I can stay focused and succeed even during tough times. What practices or moments of self-care do you implement into your day-to-day to help keep you on your path?