How to pursue multiple passions simultaneously as a musician

We often hear about all the reasons why you should focus as a musician. Dedicate yourself to the craft of a singular pursuit. Be a monomaniac!

We rarely hear from the other side. I’m not saying there aren’t good reasons to focus, but there can be some very good reasons to pursue multiple passions simultaneously too.

If you’re a multi-passionate musician, this is a must read. Here’s how to juggle your passions and excel at each.

Move with great urgency

I’m an avid student of marketing expert Dan Kennedy’s work. That may not be of any interest to you, specifically, but it is important for a bit of context.

Kennedy says most people assume that successful people go about things the same way we were taught in school – in an orderly, sequential, step by step fashion, dotting i’s and crossing t’s as they go.

That’s categorically incorrect, says Kennedy. Successful people move multiple projects forward with great urgency. Great urgency being the key term here.

Think of it this way – most artists get caught in analysis paralysis and end up doing nothing, which stalls momentum and sets them behind the eight ball.

What are you doing today to move your projects forward? You may assume there will always be more time, but if you’re out to accomplish great things, it’s not about what you can do tomorrow or a week from now – it’s about what you can do today!

One small action

It’s fair to say I’ve had a lot of mentors (many from a distance). While he is a controversial figure, I’ve learned a great deal from master pitchman Kevin Trudeau.

Trudeau says there is usually only one of three things you need to do to move a project forward on any given day:

• Have a conversation. In my experience, this is one of the biggest movers in any project. Talk to people. Ask questions. Make requests. It doesn’t matter if it’s awkward. If it’s awkward, be authentic about the awkwardness.
• Do some research. Read. Listen. Watch. Save some articles for later. Just don’t get caught in analysis paralysis. This is meant to be quick! Spend five minutes and call it done.
• Document. Write something down – to-do items, people to call, things to research. Put it all into existence with pen and paper, because otherwise it’s as good as gone.

Some of your projects will already be in motion. You may even be dedicating the bulk of your day to them.

But everything else you want to take on only requires one small action daily to progress. Not easy, but simple!

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Find the commonalities

One of my personal mentors taught me this. He said, “instead of trying to focus or minimize your project load, look for how each project connects to the other.” That gave me a new lens to see everything through.

On a macro level, I can see that most of what I do can be done at a computer – producing music, writing, making podcasts and videos, developing websites, making graphics. I don’t need to commute, and I can do everything from one place. That saves me time.

On a micro level, I can see other commonalities. Things like the fact that every new business I set up requires social media management, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), content creation, and so on. Digital marketing may sound like worlds apart from music, but you need these things as an artist too.

Finding skilled people who can take on specific roles has meant I can keep the same people busier for longer without having to worry about how much work I can give them – because I have multiple projects!

Timebox your schedule

I’ve been taking several intensive leadership programs since 2019. And one of my coaches taught me how to conquer my schedule. Timeboxing is a widely understood concept in productivity, but Nir Eyal speaks very coherently on the subject. I will offer an overview here, but you can refer to his article for more information.

Do you use a digital calendar? If not, you might want to start. I use Google Calendar myself.

The idea is simple. You want to block off when you’ll be doing what. This comes with the understanding that every hour needs to be accounted for. There should not be any gaps in your calendar.

You can block off times for meals, meditation, breaks, and exercise. I do exactly that. But the rest of my calendar is blocked off with specific actions to meet specific deadlines, including calls and meetings.

I’ve learned through trial and error that the labeling of the activity is very important. My journaling time is labeled “10X Time.” My writing time is labeled “Wealth Building Writing.” You get what you ask for. It makes a huge difference!

Understand that you won’t do it perfectly

Here’s something else I got from my leadership training – if you’re checking off all of your to-do items and meeting all your commitments, you’re living a small life. You’re not living on the edge of expansion!

This doesn’t mean we get to defer responsibility. The moment you know you’re not going to make it to a meeting or finish a task on time, you should be in conversation with your clients, partners, or collaborators so you can make appropriate arrangements (reschedule the due date, etc.).

But living on the edge of expansion forces you to innovate. Who could you hire? Who could you collaborate or partner with? Who could you ask to do your dishes and laundry?

Get creative here because perfection is not the goal! If you’re pursuing multiple passions simultaneously, you’re out to make a mess. Urgency is key.

You’ll be amazed what you can accomplish when you free yourself from the constraints of perfectionism.

Final thoughts

Multiple passions will almost assuredly mean certain sacrifices and a very full schedule. It’s not always a joyride, admittedly, but if you’re a big thinker, there are no alternatives.

Everything takes time and effort, and there are no guarantees. But engaging in your passions isn’t about the money you make. It’s about the person you become in the process.

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David Andrew Wiebe is the Founder & CEO of The Music Entrepreneur HQ and author of four books, including the much-praised The New Music Industry: Adapting, Growing and Thriving in The Information Age. Wiebe has built an extensive career in songwriting, live performance, recording, session playing, production work and music instruction.