Surrendering to the Chaos: A Composer's Guide to Time Management

Personal stories of inspiration from music industry professionals.

In this episode, Helen Lyon chats with composers Ben McAvoy, Jenny Plant and Florence Sabeva about how they balance work and home life.

Host: Gareth Davies & Helen Lyon

Produced by The Sound Boutique

This episode dives deep into the challenging world of time management for freelancers in the music industry, especially for those balancing parenthood. Host Helen Lyon leads a candid conversation with three remarkable guests - Jenny Plant, Ben McAvoy, and Florence Sabeva - who share their personal experiences and strategies for managing work and family life. The discussion highlights the common struggles that many composers face, from juggling deadlines to dealing with the unpredictability of parenting. Each guest offers valuable insights into the importance of setting boundaries and the need to surrender to the chaos that often accompanies a busy life. Ultimately, this episode aims to normalise the challenges of balancing a creative career with family responsibilities, fostering a sense of community among those navigating similar paths.

Takeaways:

• Managing time effectively as a freelancer and parent requires constant adjustment and flexibility.
• Many freelancers feel the pressure to maintain visibility in a competitive industry, especially after having children.
• Self-care and taking breaks can greatly improve mental health and productivity for busy parents.
• Networking is essential for freelancers, but it often requires careful planning and prioritisation.
• Balancing work and family life can be overwhelming, but sharing experiences can foster community support.
• Surrendering to chaos and accepting imperfection can lead to a healthier approach to parenting.

Links

Everything Music Room

• Helen's guest episode
• Ben's website
• Flo's website
• Jenny's website

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The Sound Boutique