613: The 3 Tiers of a Musician's "Productivity"
In this episode, Cheryl dives into the three different types of productivity, breaking down the benefits and limitations of each, and revealing which one truly makes the biggest difference in a music career.
Key Highlights:
Rethinking Hustle Culture:
Cheryl kicks off the episode by challenging the “hustle culture” mentality, which often fuels a scarcity mindset—the belief that if you don’t act immediately, someone else will, or that opportunities won’t come around again. She explains how this mindset can create a constant sense of urgency, stemming from a lack of trust in one’s own abilities.
Recognizing Scarcity Mindset as Urgency:
Cheryl emphasizes the importance of recognizing scarcity thinking when it shows up as urgency, reminding listeners that skills and opportunities are abundant when approached from a grounded, confident place.
The 3 Types of Productivity:
Busy Work
Cheryl describes busy work as tasks that look productive but don’t actually move the needle. She shares a personal example from her early career of spending hours putting up posters before shows, an effort that resulted in minimal audience turnout. Busy work may feel satisfying but often lacks tangible results.
Being Productive
Moving up a level, Cheryl talks about productive work—tasks that do create results but often come with the expectation of always “doing” something. Productivity can leave little room for rest, as it often implies a constant drive to produce, rather than strategic or balanced action.
Being Effective
Cheryl reveals that the ultimate goal is effectiveness. When you’re effective, you’re intentional and strategic, achieving results without needing to constantly stay busy or productive. Effective work allows for balance, creating space for rest and other aspects of life, leading to more sustainable success in your career.
The Power of Being Effective:
Cheryl encourages listeners to focus on becoming effective rather than just busy or productive. She explains that effectiveness means hitting your goals while allowing space for rest, relationships, and opportunities to show up naturally.
Join Amplify for More Effective Work Strategies:
For those looking to practice effectiveness in real time, Cheryl invites listeners to check out her Amplify mastermind. This monthly program for career musicians offers live Hot Seat coaching calls, access to productivity resources, and exclusive M.A.D.E. Days—guided, co-working sessions where members try out effective work techniques like turbo blasts and Zamboni sessions. Learn more at http://www.inthekey.co/amplify.
Links and Resources:
Join Amplify: http://www.inthekey.co/amplify
Follow Cheryl on IG:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/musiccareercoach
