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Continuing to Build vs. Complacency: Avoiding the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Mindset

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I was a slave to society, feeling like a rat in a cage. Even though I was touring the world and living my dreams, I was still living paycheck to paycheck and wasn’t building the life I truly wanted.

For years, when gigs or checks came in, they gave me a fleeting sense of freedom and fulfillment. That dopamine rush led me to chill out, take some time off, and rest on my laurels. I’d think, “I got a big check!” or “I just landed a bunch of gigs, so my career is good, and money is coming in.” While it’s super important to embrace and celebrate successes and wins in the business—and I do that all the time—this pattern of pushing on the gas and then letting off kept me stuck. I’d climb the mountain only to slide back down to the same place. There wasn’t any real growth.

For years, I operated at roughly the same level. The same amount of gigs each year. The same number of flights. The same money in my bank account. Similar income levels. Even the same number of emails sent out. I had a good business with music, but I wasn’t truly growing toward the big goals I wanted to achieve.

Then, several years ago, I had an epiphany: I was being complacent. I was doing just enough to get by—one thing at a time, barebones. Just enough to pay the bills. Just enough effort to get people to the shows. Just enough students to feel okay. And yet, despite my “just enough” approach, I felt broke. Even though I had a decent-sized business and was a “fairly successful artist,” it wasn’t enough to fund the life I dreamed of. I couldn’t do what I wanted to do or grow as I aspired to.

Breaking Free from Complacency

I realized I needed to multiply my efforts instead of being stuck in a “one thing at a time,” gig-to-gig, paycheck-to-paycheck mentality. Now, when gigs come in, I figure out how to capitalize on them. I collect emails, create new and exciting adventures for fans, and develop fresh products for them to enjoy. When a paycheck arrives, it goes straight into savings and business development—fuel to grow the business and create more value for fans and customers.

Instead of sitting around, working on music only when I feel like it, and waiting for the next tour, I now work and build every single day. My life is structured around growth. I create music and products that free me from relying on any label or external force holding my paychecks hostage. By working harder than ever before, I’ve finally achieved a sense of freedom.

Loving the Work

The joy in my life no longer comes solely from my time off. It comes from the work itself. I love what I do. Work and life are interconnected, and I’ve entered a beast mode mentality where progress is constant and intentional.

Growth Mindset Strategies

  1. Write It Down: Continually write down your What, Why, Who, When, and How. Put your dreams and goals on paper instead of letting them cycle endlessly in your mind. This clears mental space for higher-level thinking and strategic planning.

  2. Get Focused: Put the work details in your schedule and track your progress. Don’t just go on autopilot. Monitor your growth—track your music creation, business progress, fan engagement, customer growth, social media numbers, and posts. If you don’t know your numbers, you’re likely drifting or even moving backward—like I was.

  3. Learn or Delegate: If you don’t know how to do something, learn it. If you don’t have the time, pay someone else to do it. There’s no reason why you can’t achieve what’s in your mind and what you’re dreaming of.

  4. Work Consistently: Try working for 30 straight days in a row. After that, assess your music, numbers, and overall business. I can almost guarantee you’ll see growth from the focused effort you’ve put in.

A Message for You

I hope this blog helps you reflect on your purpose and inspires you to break free from the paycheck-to-paycheck mindset. You have the power to transform your life and business. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. The path forward is in building, working hard, and staying consistent. Let this be the reminder you need to shake off complacency and unlock your higher self.

If this strikes a chord with you and you need more information or would like to join a growing community of like minded individuals, you might be a candidate for my mentorship program.  Grab a free consultation call here - https://KjSawka.as.me/student-consultation