Rocking the Rhythm of Work-Life Balance: Summer of Concerts
Between building businesses, coaching entrepreneurs, and orchestrating wedding-day chill vibes, I made space to dance, sing, and let the beats reset my nervous system.
From Modest Mouse’s nostalgic grit to Flaming Lips’ psychedelic confetti storms, The Polish Ambassador’s funk-drenched beats, The Pixies and Spoon’s indie brilliance, the jazzy humor of Saxsquatch, Tiësto’s euphoric drops, and the legend himself, Elton John, I didn’t just go to concerts. I went to soundtracks for my soul’s reset.
Why Entrepreneurs Need to Press “Play”
Entrepreneurship asks a lot of us. Long hours, decision fatigue, stress, and the constant tug-of-war between ambition and burnout. The grind is real. But here’s the secret: balance doesn’t happen when you’ve “finished everything.” It happens when you decide to step away, when you have the systems and people in place so you can take a mental break.
The Science Behind Music and Your Brain
Stress Reduction: A study in Frontiers in Psychology found that listening to music lowers cortisol (the stress hormone), helping regulate the body’s stress response.
Mood Regulation: Neuroscientists at McGill University showed that music triggers dopamine release, the same neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and motivation.
Cognitive Benefits: According to the National Institutes of Health, music enhances memory, attention, and even problem-solving by activating both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously.
Social Connection: Group music experiences, such as concerts, boost oxytocin, the “bonding hormone,” creating feelings of unity and belonging.
No wonder I walked out of every show recharged and ready to dive back into my business with a fresh perspective.
Balancing Acts and Bass Drops
It takes intentionality to balance entrepreneurship and life. Saying yes to a concert on a Thursday night might feel irresponsible when deadlines loom, but the reality is, creativity thrives when we give it oxygen.
Standing in a crowd, belting out lyrics to “Float On” or swaying to “Tiny Dancer,” I was reminded that business growth isn’t about constant hustle. It’s about rhythm, knowing when to push forward and when to step back.
