Personal development is a lifelong process. According to Maslow, we all want to become everything that we are capable of becoming. We all need personal development. The room for growth is limitless if you’re willing to take the necessary steps. Here we share skills we think every musician needs to cultivate.
Creativity
Creativity is the ability to take a skill and make something beautiful out of it. The more creative an artist is, the more listeners are drawn to their music. To strengthen creativity, simply exercise it daily. Want to be more creative in songwriting or music production? Read more, listen more, and write more. Musicians also need to have an in-depth knowledge of the music they create. Familiarising yourself with music theory and understanding music makes creating easier. Always be prepared to record or take notes as ideas come when least expected.
Self-discipline
As an independent artist, you need to develop the ability to push yourself, stay motivated and take action regardless of how you’re feeling physically or emotionally. Perseverance is one thing that leads to improvement and success. Give yourself no choice but to take daily small steps free of distractions. Your success may just depend on it. We can all agree that this is fundamental to any form of growth. Thousands of articles and books on this topic are proof of its importance.
Communication Skills
People connect more with what they can understand. If you aren’t communicating effectively your networking and marketing efforts may not yield anticipated results. From social media, to press releases, to emails and bios; there’s the need to be as clear as possible. To improve these skills spend time reading and writing a lot more. Build your vocabulary but remember that the point is not to sound smarter but to find new ways to express your ideas.
Social Skills
The work of a creative is unique in many ways. Being that it is dependent on networking and personal branding, people skills are a big part of what it takes to be successful. The stronger your network, the bigger your opportunities. Although building a network takes effort, energy, and time, meeting and collaborating with other industry professionals could have some impact on your future in the music business. Practice improves, so spend a little time each day working on your social skills on and offline.
Money-management skills
How you manage your money as an independent artist can make or break your success. Your music is a business and should be treated as such. No matter how much money you make, impulse buys, improper budgeting, and not saving could leave you dry. The 50/30/20 budget rule advises that you divide income and allocate it thus: 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings. Get out of debt, save and re-invest in yourself. The more income streams you have as well, the better. The world is your oyster!
Be reliable, flexible, and a team player
It is important to be flexible as well as reliable. You get the best from people when you have their trust. If everyone knows you as a person that sticks to their word, chances are, you'll earn their trust. Understand your strengths and weaknesses, as well as what you can and cannot do. Minimize or completely eliminate procrastination; welcome collaborations with a positive attitude; learn to appreciate other people’s strengths; celebrate the successes of others
Adaptability
The music industry is ever-evolving and anyone that finds it hard to hop on the train may just be left behind. This is why you need to be in touch with trends. This is not to say that you must jump on every trend, but equip yourself in advance to adapt to those changes.
Bonus!
Every day is a good day to grow! Accept constructive criticism with grace. Talent is good but it can’t take you as far as discipline, hard work, and a good attitude would.
Are there any other skills you think every musician should have? Share in the comments below!