How Barbara Brighton Handles 2 Careers (Psychotherapist & Record Producer)

by | Aug 15, 2022

Meet Barbara Brighton. She’s a talented multi-careerist based in California.

Barbara’s Careers:

  • Psychotherapist
  • Record producer

On her motivations for many careers

My primary career has been psychotherapy. The music business was not something I planned to do.

It was suggested to me by a friend, who knew my love and knowledge of jazz. Sadly, she passed away and I decided to go for it, in her honor.

I had no idea where this second career would take me.

Advice to aspiring multi-careerists

Make sure you have the time and energy to devote to both careers, otherwise they could both suffer.

Make sure to give each career love so you don’t resent one when you feel overwhelmed or overworked.

Honor and respect both careers, even if one isn’t as exciting as the other.

On overcoming obstacles

I don’t know that I have encountered setbacks, but my difficulty with self promotion has not helped me to move forward.

I am working on doing more of that.

I ask trusted friends and colleagues for ideas.

 

On how careers are mutually beneficial

My training as a therapist has helped me in the studio dealing with creative differences, tensions in the studio and knowing when to intervene to calm nerves!

When I am working on a CD, I am energized and that spills over into my therapy practice.

On finding balance

I make sure I don’t over commit myself.

It’s very important that I have time to myself and to spend time with friends and family, so I have clear boundaries about the amount of time I spend on either career.

On what he wished he knew earlier

My practice was extremely busy and I was starting to burn out a bit.

I would have started my music business sooner and cut my therapy hours down.

Also, If I knew I was going to start a music business, I might have taken some engineering classes.

 

How do you find the time for self-care?

It’s challenging but imperative. I make sure to do something for myself at least a few times in a week, whether it’s a massage or lunch with friends or making sure I get in my exercise. It’s an important discipline or else burn out is around the corner.

A Day in the Life

It depends on the day. If I am seeing patients:

6:00 am get up and walk the dog

6:30 make coffee and feed the dog

7:00 shower

8:00 to 4:00 or 9:00 to 4:00

swim or go to the gym, depending on my patient schedule.

If I am working on a CD, the schedule is the same except I go to the studio, usually at 10am or 11:00 am to 4 or 5:00 pm

Where to find Barbara

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Kabir Sehgal is a Multi Grammy & Latin Grammy Award winner, as well as New York Times bestselling author.

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