Last week, I did my #10yearchallenge in a blog format. This week I wanted to make a list of things I would tell my younger self if I could go back in time. Unfortunately, I can't (but it would be awesome to) so this list for young freelance music instructors. While my primary focus of my teaching and writing are percussion, this information will be general enough for anyone in the game.
1 - Learn to advertise/market yourself!!! This one is important, and one that I was NOT prepared for at all once I figured out that getting a band director job was not in the cards for me. I would recommend this for anyone in music school because you never know what the future will hold for you. Learn to set up a website. Learn to set up a blog. Learn YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, social media for business purposes.
2 - Invest in yourself/learn other related skills. This is something I started later than I should have. If you are an instructor, learn to write some music. If you teach battery, learn the basics of the front ensemble. If you teach front ensemble, learn the basics of teaching battery. Learn how visual stuff works so you can be able to run a full rehearsal and speak to everything. I wish I would have drummed in dance classes now that I look back at opportunities I pass on in college. LEARN HOW ELECTRONICS WORK! Just the basics so you can troubleshoot when problems arise (and they will arise when you least want them too!). The more skills you have, the more work you can do/get.
3 - Manage your money!!! This is something I was always kind of doing, but only kind of. It wasn't until the pandemic hit and I got real stressed about money that I actually stopped to realize how much money I "waste" on fast food because it is quick and convenient. Yes you will probably live on the go, but pack a sandwich. You will thank me later. The other part of this is, you will be paid late. I have been in this game for a long time and still get paid late. I know people that have been in it longer and still get paid late. Plan your money out for months at a time, and then make sure it lasts. I have been VERY fortunate to have never paid a bill late, or miss rent, etc., because I always kept some money in the reserves. Not a lot, but enough to get me to when my next chunk of money will come in. My "rule" now is to always try to have 2-3 months worth of money in the bank just in case some doesn't come when it is needed.
4 - Take care of yourself. I am 34 and just starting to realize the benefit of a day off. I have intentionally started listening to my body and when I need a day I take it. I have found that I am usually 2-3 times more productive the next day(s) because I gave myself a chance to recharge my battery. In addition to taking time to rest, be mindful of what you consume. Not only in terms of food (good food is good fuel), but in terms of your media/TV consumption. Negativity fuels negativity. Positivity fuels positivity. Over the last year, I have consumed less news than before. Why? Because everything I was seeing was largely negative and creating a negative mindset for me. It was creating a huge amount of stress and tension in my life. So I removed it. I also removed toxic people from my Facebook news feed, and from my life. This is helped me feel way more balanced in my life. You will have bad days (everyone does), but don't amplify them with bad influences and consumption.
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