Christmas and New Year was most likely a blur for you – it always is for me. And now we face ‘Grey January’, a month which for me is at best, quiet, at worst, empty! It’s tempting to sit back, relax and look forward to the coming Spring and the resulting busier diaries. But this is the ideal time to reflect on where you are and, vitally, where you are going.

Your start to the year may already be successful, with plenty of work coming in. So you could be thinking, “if it ain’t broke, why fix it?” In my experience, no matter how good you are, there is always room for improvement. In no time at all you will be back out there working through another year of parties. These quieter weeks are the ideal time to focus on making the upcoming year all that more productive.

Over the last few years, I’ve written various articles focusing on self-improvement. The purpose of this piece is to share five strategies that I’ve found highly effective; the areas of focus that have made a big difference to my success as well as my wellbeing, namely: health and fitness, music organisation, marketing, equipment and training.

A great starting point for putting these strategies into action is a to-do list. But remember that no list will enhance your business or your life if you just read it – you need to act on it. Ultimately, the task here is to cross as much off the list as you can.

1: Health and fitness

Did you start the year with a wish to get fit and lose weight? You’re not alone. The on-set of winter and then, of course, those huge Christmas dinners (and DJs tend to eat more of these than average) mean that many of us wake up on 1st January with a few extra pounds to shift.

January might be quieter for us DJs, but for the average gym it’s the busiest time of the year. Armed with that new year’s resolution, a wave of determined individuals hit the machinery, the pool, the yoga and spin classes – but by February the commitment is waning and before long, the monthly fee becomes something that will be used “next week”. I have learned during my own fitness journey that a more sustainable approach is needed, and I have revolutionised my health through better dietary choices and regular walking. As a bonus, this approach has actually saved money rather than added to my expenditure.
We have had a rough couple of years; the lockdown periods, which resulted in no parties and a big impact on our businesses, were followed by a sudden rush to fulfil all those postponements and new bookings. This is bound to have had an impact on our mental health. There are huge gains to be made from getting fitter and healthier – both mentally and physically – and now is the time to start.

Top tips for becoming a healthier DJ:

• Check your weight and set a realistic first target and date to aim for
• Set a regular weigh-in day and time – and stick to it
• Cut down your calorie, sugar and processed carbohydrate intake (aim to reduce rather than going all-in straight away)
• Eat well before your gigs and avoid the temptation of eating when you get home
• Drink more water – most of us are constantly dehydrated
• Celebrate every win – each ounce or inch off is a step towards your target and should be celebrated
• Stick at it, trust me, you will get there!

If you're going to start with weight, there are other ways to measure your success than a set of scales. One is by measuring your height-to-waist ratio. Your waist should ideally be at least half your height. Over time this can be a more accurate and sustainable way to judge how you are progressing. Losing weight can be a journey of gains as well as losses, dropping clothes sizes can be more encouraging longer term.

As stated, the key for me was regular walking. This is an effective and achievable way to be more active. Don’t try to walk miles and miles straight away. As with all fitness goals, you should have an achievable plan that can be increased as time goes on. If you plan on doing regular walks, then a good plan might be The Thirty Day Challenge:

• Days 1-10: commit to walking 10 minutes each day

• Days 11-20: commit to walking 20 minutes each day

• Days 21-30: commit to walking 30 minutes each day

2: Music management

When bookings are sparse at the beginning of the year, there is no better time to start sorting your music out. This should include thinning your library by removing all those duplicate songs and remixes that you are unlikely to play any time soon.

A great quote from fellow DJ Aaron Traylor is, “it's not what you have, it’s what you take with you that’s important.” As music lovers and DJs, we are natural hoarders, and we accumulate far more music than we’re ever likely to play. Some songs become dated quickly and therefore less likely to be requested – these don't need to clutter our libraries. If the idea of deleting songs is too scary, simply put them on a separate drive.

You should also work on your crates; your go-to music lists that work best for you. I have honestly lost count of how many times my crates have helped me when I was unsure where to go next.

Familiarising yourself with your music and saving cue points is another great use of your downtime. Finally, staying up to date with the latest releases is essential – after all, you never know when that unexpected booking may come in.

3: Marketing

Is the image you portray in your marketing still accurate? When was the last time you looked at your website? Does it look old and in need of a refresh? While we are busy, marketing is easily overlooked and often considered less of a priority. Now is a great time to grab a coffee, sit down and read the text. Are you talking about yourself and what you do, or are you talking about them – the potential clients – and the benefits of booking you? Look at other sites, not to copy them but for inspiration for your own. Check you aren’t simply saying the same things as everyone else. Do you stand out?

It’s also worth considering if your messaging and branding matches across all your marketing, from your social media and website to leaflets and business cards. William Shakespeare said, “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances.”

As entertainers, we are performing all the time, long before we even play the first song at an event. Our marketing is part of that performance. Ask yourself, does it entice the audience to find out more or does it confuse or turn them away?

4: Equipment

The start of the year is also a great time to ensure your kit is safe and fit for purpose. I always perform a thorough check of all my equipment and get it PAT tested. This is an opportunity to think about upgrading, ready for the busy year to come, or perhaps adding a different look or additional options to your services. This doesn't mean you need to splash out on new kit immediately, it could just be part of your business plan for the coming year.

5: Training

Buying new equipment is an easy way to upgrade. But I would ask, is that actually the best place to invest? Maybe you could get more return from investing in yourself first.

With all this free time to hand, now is the perfect time to work on your DJ skills: practise, practise, practise. Make the most of educational opportunities – for example, hands-on performance training workshops such as mixing sessions. These will improve your ability as a DJ, so you stand out more, but it will also make your work much more enjoyable. Nailing that announcement or seamlessly mixing from one song to another and getting that roar of approval is so satisfying. Also, it's hard to disagree that to stay ahead, you need to be constantly improving what you do.

The best opportunities for learning are at conferences. Unlike purchasing a brand-new controller or PA, this means investing money without the gains being immediately obvious. Every year I meet other DJs and hear the same sentiments: “Oh, I would love to go. Maybe next year.” ...