As a musician, what comes to mind when you hear the phrase “invest in yourself?”
Most people hear “invest,” and their minds immediately jump to finances. And, because the stereotypical “starving artist” doesn’t have much in the way of disposable income, hearing the “I” word can send shivers up the spines of independent musicians.
However, money is not the only asset available for creatives to invest. One could argue that time is even more valuable, and it’s an asset that we all have, regardless of our finances.
How you use your time will almost certainly determine how far you go in the music industry. If you’re looking for where to begin investing yours, I’ve compiled a list of suggestions.
Invest in new skills.
There are so many free educational resources available on the internet for creatives, and many of the skills you need to navigate the music industry are only a click away. Gone are the days where you must lean on formal education alone. We creatives have the power to uncover the resources to teach ourselves just about anything.
Want to learn the basics of an instrument? There are countless chords, tabs, and video tutorials at your disposal. Want to take your multimedia content skills up a notch? There are step-by-step and how-to guides all over the internet, covering the nuances just about any creative software or discipline imaginable. Even offline, so much can be learned simply from picking up your instrument of choice – musical or otherwise – and getting started.
Here’s a more complete list of skills you can master, in case you’re looking for ideas…
Develop your industry knowledge.
This is somewhat of a continuation of the previous point; although, it’s more focused on the educational aspects of the creative journey. Anything you could want to know about the music industry is readily available to you – from sync licensing and publishing information, to how to file your taxes, to wellness and self-care tips to keep you going. It just takes the time and willingness to dig in, and then the desire to apply what you’ve learned as you continue your creative journey.
Invest in your health.
Your creative hustle will keep you busy, but make sure you take time for you! Incorporate some kind of movement into your day – whether it’s joining a gym, going for a daily walk, or anything in between. Focus on your nutrition, and making as many healthy dietary choices as possible, while limiting (or eliminating) bad habits.
Just as importantly, make sure you’re taking care of your mental and emotional well-being. Know when to take breaks, and be sure to look up from your screens, take a deep breath, and make time to appreciate how far you’ve come.
In doing so, you’ll continue developing into a well-rounded individual who is equipped to handle the pressures of navigating the music industry. And, if you’re looking for more suggestions, we published a piece on this very topic a few months back.
Invest in building your community.
So many of your opportunities in the music industry will come down to the quality of your relationships. Take the time to seek out new connections and build mutually beneficial relationships. Take the time to support your friends in the industry, and find ways to help lift them to new heights.
If you’re looking to make those connections, you’re in the right place. Muze is an app centered on community building among musicians and creatives, and all you need to do to build better relationships is sign up.
