Productivity & Development

In this article, I’m going to show you how you can truly experience "music is life" and better live your life as a career musician (anyone really). In fact, this is the exact conversation we start almost all of our music client relationships with in order to maximize happiness and energy when pursuing a music career.   Let’s dive in! The 2 Modes That Life Can Happen To You For most people on the planet, life will happen in one of two ways:  Life will happen to you (passive) You will happen to life (active) [...]

By now you should have a good understanding of what a S.M.A.R.T. goal is.  In case you don’t, here’s a quick recap. A S.M.A.R.T. goal is: Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time-Bound Figuring Out Which Smart Goal to Set First I recently decided to develop a goal around a new skill I would like to learn.  Specifically, I’d like to learn how to create high-quality, attractive videos in Final Cut Pro.  I already know a bit about FCP and am able to create functional videos quickly, but I have never been [...]

Time management. It's a skill we all struggle with and love to hate. There’s an old saying "there’s never enough time in the day." Do you agree? I certainly do. The thing is, there’s usually plenty of time in the day, you just have to have good or decent time management skills and manage it correctly, while ensuring that you do not burn out. Time Management: What does "manage it correctly" mean? Well, that depends. You have to define what’s correct for you. In terms of work, sometimes when you’re forced into high gear, that’s the best [...]

Did you know that if music creators develop their business skills they are more likely to succeed in music and be happy? As we share this month, the plans you have for your music career may not be achievable alone. Did you set a New Year's Resolution for your Music Career? Every year most people set their new year's resolution: I'm going to eat better I'm going to see the inside of a gym I want to read more books I want to change or improve my career But did you know that by February 1st most [...]

Did you know that if music creators develop their business skills they are more likely to succeed in music and be happy? As we share this month, as a music creator, love it or hate it, you are a music entrepreneur. As a Music Creator, you are a Music Entrepreneur In building your entrepreneurial career, it’s helpful to understand to whom you’re selling your products or services. Music creators are typically selling both products and services to various audiences. Your live music performance is a service that you are selling when you book shows at venues. Likewise, [...]

Did you know that if music creators take the time to think about their career planning on a regular basis they are more likely to succeed in music and be happy? Your music career deserves a fair amount of planning in order to be successful. How much time have you spent planning your career? If you’re like many of us, probably not enough. Career Planning & Self Assessment Self assessment is a large component of the planning process. The Myers-Briggs company offers a “Strong Interest Inventory” which is designed to help college students consider potential careers, but [...]

Music creators who develop their business skills and have a personal and business music mission statement defined are more likely to succeed in music and be happy. Changing the world with your music starts with defining the mission or cause you are leading. In Business, Most Mission Statements are TERRIBLE. For Bands, Music Mission Statements Don't Usually Exist. When you hear "mission statement", you probably think of a boring paragraph that big companies put out to "motivate" their team into staying productive and excited. They don't work because they are vague, uninteresting, and not memorable. Most musicians [...]

Did you know that if music creators develop their business skills they are more likely to succeed in music and be happy?  But as we share in today's article, it's hard to engage in continuous learning to improve your music career, practice your instrument, collaborate with other musicians, or really do anything in music without your ears. Protect those musician ears of yours! Musician Ears that Go on Tour Need Protecting: Steve's Story I know you don’t want to hear it, but it’s vital that you protect one of your greatest assets. Imagine life with partial hearing [...]

Did you know that if music creators develop their business skills they are more likely to succeed in music and be happy?  As Eleven's Steve Banik discusses today, staying organized is a big part of that.  How to Stay Productive and Organized If you’re like me, you might sometimes have trouble getting organized to keep your music business productive and profitable. We’re creatives, so we prefer to create rather than enter receipts, depreciate assets and plan for tax season. Fortunately, there are some easy ways for us creatives to get our house in order in this area and learn how [...]

"Many musicians find it hard to develop their music career professionally because their “real lives” and the complexities of the music industry have gotten in the way. When musicians stop learning and investing in themselves, they hurt their chances of succeeding in their career." Maybe you read that first paragraph and thought "sure, but what does that have to do with Eleven?".  This paragraph is a part of Eleven's guiding principles: a one-page definition of our mission, key characteristics, critical actions, story pitch and theme that make up our reason for being.  It very clearly defines who we are, where [...]