Finding a Balance

 Like many freelancers, I have trouble saying "no" to opportunities. No matter how many gigs I book, no matter how many students I teach, I'm afraid that the work will dry up. I'm fortunate to have a lot of work, but as much as I enjoy music, it can be too much of a good thing. When I move to Albuquerque, I'd like to strike a better balance between my personal life and my professional life.

I've reached a point at which I literally have no days off. This is not healthy, nor is it sustainable. I teach more than 30 private students in homes, and I play 4-5 gigs each week.

One of the main reasons I'm moving to Albuquerque is easier access to nature. I would hate to get so busy that I can't get out to hike the mountains and desert trails. Overbooking won't be a big problem when I first move; as I work to establish myself, I'll have more than enough free time on my hands. But I plan to limit my professional activities as my student roster grows and the gigs come. Ideally, I'll teach 20-25 students 4 days a week, and I'll play 2 steady gigs a week. That'll give me one full day off, plus the gig days will be fairly light unless I'm traveling.

I realize that I can make all of these changes right here in Atlanta, but I still want to be in a place with fewer cars and more mountain trails. When I move, it'll be important to me to maintain a good balance so that I can enjoy those trails.