Musician & Co. Book Club

Cal Newport has much to share on the topic of work, focus, and time management in this thoughtful, actionable, well-researched book. He reminds us that our time and attention are limited resources, and to foster deep work, there are a few rules we should follow (#2 may surprise you).Buy this book on AmazonBuy this book on Bookshop (support independent bookstores 🙌)Time-Blocking for Musicians: How to Structure Your WorkdayWhat I Learned from 6 Months of Time TrackingWhat to read next:📚 See what's on our bookshelf: book recommendations for musicians, teachers & entrepreneursLet's be friends:📱 IG: @ashleydanyew✉️ Email: hello@musicianandcompany.comWhenever you're ready, here are 3 ways we can work together:Need a blueprint for running your own business? Get customizable pre-written templates made for self-employed musicians, starting at $37.Ready to build a portfolio career in music? Learn the business skills, strategies + mindsets you need with the tools and templates to get started in our self-paced online program, The Musicpreneur Model.Looking for career/business advice? From strategy sessions to brand design to CV & résumé reviews, tell us what you need →DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. This supports the Musician & Co. blog and allows me to continue creating free content. Thanks for your support!

Whether you’re still dreaming about your music career, actively building your portfolio, or simply trying to make smarter choices about where to invest your time and energy, The Long Game offers an important reminder: Carve your own path. Don’t feel like you need to do what everyone else is doing. Play your own game.Buy this book on AmazonBuy this book on Bookshop (support independent bookstores 🙌)The Creative Habit (Twyla Tharp)Daily Rituals: Women at Work (Mason Currey)What to read next:📚 See what's on our bookshelf: book recommendations for musicians, teachers & entrepreneursLet's be friends:📱 IG: @ashleydanyew✉️ Email: hello@musicianandcompany.comWhenever you're ready, here are 3 ways we can work together:Need a blueprint for running your own business? Get customizable pre-written templates made for self-employed musicians, starting at $37.Ready to build a portfolio career in music? Learn the business skills, strategies + mindsets you need with the tools and templates to get started in our self-paced online program, The Musicpreneur Model.Looking for career/business advice? From strategy sessions to brand design to CV & résumé reviews, tell us what you need →DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. This supports the Musician & Co. blog and allows me to continue creating free content. Thanks for your support!

I thought January was the perfect time to read The Gap and the Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success. This book teaches a small but important shift that can have a profound impact on your creative work and personal life.Resource list:Buy this book on AmazonBuy this book on Bookshop (support independent bookstores 🙌)Morgann DavisSlow Productivity (Cal Newport)What to read next:📚 See what's on our bookshelf: curated reading recommendations for musicians, teachers, and entrepreneursLet's be friends:📱 Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew✉️ Email me: hello@musicianandcompany.comWhenever you're ready, here are 3 ways we can work together:Need a blueprint for running your own business? Visit the Musician & Co. Shop + get customizable pre-written templates made for self-employed musicians, starting at $37.Ready to build a portfolio career in music? Learn the business skills, strategies + mindsets you need as a classical musician with the tools and templates to get started in our self-paced online program, The Musicpreneur Model.Looking for career/business advice? From strategy sessions to brand design to CV & résumé reviews, tell us what you need →DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. This supports the Musician & Co. blog and allows me to continue creating free content. Thanks for your support!

We've been reading Hidden Genius by Polina Pompliano. This book is a collection of stories, insights, and lessons learned from top performers, entrepreneurs, and creators. It all starts with this question: “What distinguishes the truly exceptional from the merely great?”Resource list:Buy this book on AmazonBuy this book on Bookshop (support independent bookstores 🙌)Field Notes on Music Teaching & Learning - Ep. 68, Ep. 69, Ep. 71What to read next:📚 See what's on our bookshelf: curated reading recommendations for musicians, teachers, and entrepreneursLet's be friends:📱 Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew✉️ Email me: hello@musicianandcompany.comWhenever you're ready, here are 3 ways we can work together:Need a blueprint for running your own business? Visit the Musician & Co. Shop + get customizable pre-written templates created specifically for self-employed musicians, starting at $37.Ready to build a portfolio career in music? Learn the business skills, strategies + mindsets you need as a classical musician and get the tools and templates to get started in our self-paced online program, The Musicpreneur Model.Looking for career/business advice? From strategy sessions to CV & résumé reviews, tell us what you need on this form →DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. This supports the Musician & Co. blog and allows me to continue creating free content. Thanks for your support!

We've been reading This Is Marketing by Seth Godin—timeless truths about marketing and how to share your creative work in a way that’s genuine and intentional and builds trust. Contrary to popular marketing gimmicks, Godin re-frames marketing as an act of generosity based on empathy, the power of connection, and the change we all seek. Here are my 5 big takeaways.Resource list:Buy this book on AmazonBuy this book on Bookshop (support independent bookstores 🙌)What to read next:📚 See what's on our bookshelf: curated reading recommendations for musicians, teachers, and entrepreneursLet's be friends:📱 Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew✉️ Email me: hello@musicianandcompany.comWhenever you're ready, here are 3 ways we can work together:Need a blueprint for running your own business? Visit the Musician & Co. Shop + get customizable pre-written templates created specifically for self-employed musicians, starting at $37.Want to build a portfolio career in music? Learn the essential business strategies + mindsets you need as a classical musician to run a fulfilling music career + sustainable small business in our self-paced course, The Musicpreneur Model.Looking for career/business advice? From music career advising to bio & résumé reviews to brand & website audits, tell us what you need on this form →DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. This supports the Musician & Co. blog and allows me to continue creating free content. Thanks for your support!

We've been reading Daily Rituals by Mason Currey—an inside look at the routines, rituals, and daily work schedules of 161 well-known writers, performers, composers, artists, philosophers, and other creatives along with insights into their creative processes. Through primary source materials (interviews, letters, and personal accounts), he pieces together a picture of the daily rituals of some of the most famous artists and creators.Resource list:Buy this book on AmazonBuy this book on Bookshop (support independent bookstores 🙌)What to read next:📚 See what's on our bookshelf: curated reading recommendations for musicians, teachers, and entrepreneursLet's be friends:📱 Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew✉️ Email me: hello@musicianandcompany.comWhenever you're ready, here are 3 ways we can work together:Looking to streamline your business workflows? Get pre-written, customizable legal, financial, and organizational templates for self-employed musicians, starting at $37.Want to build a diversified portfolio career? Join the Musicpreneur Model and learn the essential business strategies you need as a classical musician in a post-pandemic, AI-generated world + use our proven model to build a unique portfolio career.Ready to work with us 1:1? From music career advising to professional writing reviews to brand and website audits, we'll bring our best business skills to the table to help you manage and curate your music career.DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. This supports the Musician & Co. blog and allows me to continue creating free content. Thanks for your support!

We've been reading Profit First by Mike Michalowicz—a guide to organizing your finances and building a profitable business.We'll talk about how to use this framework + share tips for structuring your time and working more efficiently. Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.Resource list:Buy this book on AmazonBuy this book on Bookshop (support independent bookstores 🙌)Profitable Pricing Guide for MusiciansPricing Calculators for MusiciansHow to Organize Your Finances As a MusicpreneurBookkeeping Templates for Self-Employed MusiciansWhat to read next:📚 See what's on our bookshelf: curated reading recommendations for musicians, teachers, and entrepreneursLet's be friends:📱 Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew✉️ Email me: hello@musicianandcompany.comWhenever you're ready, here are 3 ways we can work together:Looking to streamline your business workflows? Get pre-written, customizable legal, financial, and organizational templates for self-employed musicians, starting at $37.Want to build a diversified portfolio career? Join the Musicpreneur Model and learn the essential business strategies you need as a classical musician in a post-pandemic, AI-generated world + use our proven model to build a unique portfolio career.Ready to work with us 1:1? From music career advising to professional writing reviews to brand and website audits, we'll bring our best business skills to the table to help you manage and curate your music career.DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. This supports the Musician & Co. blog and allows me to continue creating free content. Thanks for your support!

We've been reading Company of One by Paul Jarvis, a field guide for building and running your own business. Jarvis talks about sustainability, purpose vs. passion, a new form of marketing, banking social capital, time management, financial planning, and more. Here are 7 key ideas to apply to your music career.Resource list:Buy this book on AmazonBuy this book on Bookshop (support independent bookstores 🙌)The Practice (Seth Godin)7 Ways to Work on Your Business During Slow MonthsMaker's Schedule, Manager's Schedule (Paul Graham)What to read next:📚 See what's on our bookshelf + get curated reading recommendations for musicians, teachers, and entrepreneurs📖 Join the Musician & Co. Book Club + get a 4-week reading plan and links to our reviewsLet's be friends:📱 Find me on Instagram: @ashleydanyew✉️ Email me: hello@musicianandcompany.comWhenever you're ready, here are 3 ways we can work together:Looking to streamline your business workflows? Visit the ✨new✨ Musician & Co. shop + get customizable pre-written templates created specifically for self-employed musicians, starting at $37.Want to build a diversified portfolio career? Join the Musicpreneur Model and learn the essential business strategies you need as a classical musician in a post-pandemic, AI-generated world + use our proven model to build a portfolio career that's unique to you.Ready to work with us 1:1? From music career advising to professional writing reviews to brand and website audits, we'll bring our best business skills to the table to help you manage and curate your music career.DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means if you decide to purchase through any of them, I will earn a small commission. This supports the Musician & Co. blog and allows me to continue creating free content (like hosting this book club). Thank you for your support!