By Stacy Zemon, Publisher & Chief Scribe
This is probably an understatement, but DJs are some of the busiest people around. A day in the life of an DJ is chock-full of business decisions, client meetings, networking and event preparation. Because there’s so much to do and so little time to do so, mobiles can easily get off track and become distracted with non-essentials.
Chat or listen to some successful people, though, and you’ll notice that they have several daily routines or habits that have steered them to success. Here five things that productive DJs do every day:
1. Establish a routine. If an DJ doesn’t set and stick to a daily schedule, how can he or she accomplish anything? It’s a challenge for the average person to juggle his or her personal and professional lives. Without a routine, an DJ won’t be complete any work.
No one can really provide a routine for you. Set up one yourself based on what’s going on in your personal life and your work habits. If you have a family and happen to be an early riser, then you probably want to start early in the morning before anyone in your household rises. If you’re more productive at night, then set up a routine based on being a night owl.
2. Exercise and meditate. The importance of exercise has been well established so I won’t bore you with the details and figures. But some really successful people make exercising a priority. Just ask Mike Walter, Marcello Pedalino or Betsy Fischer.
But what if you’re not the type of person who likes to rise early or has the time to work out the first thing in the morning? Work in a routine at some other time of day.
Even if you don’t lift weights at home or in the office or go for a morning run, at least do yoga or meditate.
Any sort of activity to relieve stress and clear your mind will provide a much needed release. And it will be a great way to give you time by yourself and help you prepare for tackling the next project.
3. Check your progress. As an DJ, you’re extremely busy. In fact, you may be so focused on the task at hand that you may have neglected a couple of really important things. That’s why at some point during the day you should check in on a range tasks.
For a couple of minutes check how far you’ve been progressing toward the goals that you’ve established for yourself and the company. When you do so, you’re breaking down these goals into attainable tasks that can be accomplished daily. Taking the time to evaluate your progress will help you decide how to further prioritize your time.
It also wouldn’t hurt to figure out your cash flow. You probably should this every day because without money, your business is as good as done. To do this effectively, create and run your business using a 30-day cash-flow projection. This will help you identify what money is coming in and what you’re spending daily. Furthermore, keep track of invoices for clients and start a collections process if need be. Whether you call your bank, check online or chat with a bookkeeper, it’s better to be safe than sorry with your finances.
4. Spend quality time with family and recharge. Successful people try to manage to prioritize spending some time with family, according to a new Harvard Business School study. If they could set aside time, you, that uberbusy DJ, can squeeze in time for your spouse (and children). When you spend time with the most important people in your life, it not only clears your head. It also helps you remember what you’re fighting for.
But what if you’re single and don’t have children? That’s still not a reason to miss out on living your life. All people need some time to recharge their batteries. That means enjoying whatever it is that you enjoy doing. Whether you enjoy going to the movies alone, having drinks with friends or going for a bike ride, take time to smell the roses. Who knows? Maybe you’ll get inspired along the way.
5. Plan tomorrow – tonight. Did you grow up with a parent who made sure you were ready for school the night before? Whether that involved getting your clothes out or preparing your lunch, these rituals shaped you. So prepare for the next day before hitting the hay.
When you arrange before going to bed at least a couple of tasks or goals for the next day, you’re more likely to wake up and start on the project at hand. This can also help you create priorities in your schedule for the following day instead of letting thoughts of unfinished work accumulate. Plus, this evening time is a good time to get some work done because everyone is probably asleep or about to drift off. President Obama, for example, seems to have perfected the art of getting ready for tomorrow the night before.
And one final word about sleep: Be sure to set a bed time. There’s obviously nothing better if you need to be fresh for the following day. Virtually successful DJ goes to bed at the same time every night.
Be sure that you don’t get distracted when trying to fall asleep: Leave the phone or computer in another room. You’ll be glad the next morning when you wake up refreshed and ready to take on the world.
