I have always had a hard time managing my stress. However, as I have gotten older and my responsibilities have multiplied, I've come to find that I have a hard time prioritizing my work - and this is one of the biggest causes of my anxiety.
Where do I start when I have 25 different projects that I need to be working on, all of which are of equal importance? How do I sift through pages of paperwork, maintain a professional social media presence, keep making high quality bangers with other artists AND get a good nights sleep? Not to mention the fact that all of this means more and more neglect for my family. Where do I find the time?
Several bouts with depression and a family that shoots me straight have taught me something. Feeling like you must hurry or rush everything to achieve your goals is a killer of happiness. How can you have a peaceful and fulfilling life when you feel like every fleeting moment that you aren't spending behind a desk is lessening the likelihood that your dreams will come true? This is not only a lie, but a heavy burden - especially heavy for an artist, because our career is solely dependent on continuing to produce content. The more you make, the more likely you are to be seen. The better the quality, the more likely you are to attract more listeners. The more people you know, the more likely you are to get your foot in the door. There's no college degree that guarantees your success, and no golden ticket that takes you to the top. Just your own blood, sweat, and tears - a daily grind.
Uncertainty surrounds every aspect of an aspiring artist's psyche. I used to think that I had made a mistake. I figured that I am far too anxious of a person to manage such an unstable career path. But with every passing day, it's becoming more clear that I am in this for the long haul. So why would I suck the joy out of what I love most? It isn't about meeting quotas, it's about persistence. Productivity is subjective. As long as I'm moving - learning - growing; I will end up where I'm supposed to be. Maintain your focus and keep your head up. We are artists because we are meant to be. Those that love us will support us, no matter what, and we will get there. Don't give up the chase.
Get shit done and enjoy yourself while you do it.
My wife said it best.
"If you wanted a stable job, you would've been an accountant; but that would've been the biggest mistake of your life, because you were born to make music."
CH