I was talking to an audio professional last week who works on some of the biggest movies. I won’t name the studio to protect the guilty. He told me that there were some veteran audio professionals in their sixties working over a hundred hours a week on the projects to deliver the very best they could.

I often joke at grocery store checkouts, when the cashier asks me if I’m collecting points, that I’m saving up for a Ferrari. They look at me blankly trying to calculate how much I’ll need to spend to make that target. Of course, it’s an impossible one and for many working in this industry trying to make a decent living can feel the same.

Many audio professionals embark on their careers driven by passion rather than financial gain. This intrinsic motivation shapes their work ethic, often leading them to embrace perfectionism and conscientiousness. However, these traits, while beneficial in producing high-quality work, can also create challenges in business. This article explores how perfectionism and conscientiousness can negatively impact audio professionals and offers strategies to navigate these pitfalls.

The Double-Edged Sword of Perfectionism

Perfectionism, a common trait among audio professionals, drives the relentless pursuit of something beyond excellence. It ensures meticulous attention to detail, which is crucial in producing world class audio deliverables. However, this quest for perfection can also become a burden.

The Downside:

1. Time Consumption: Perfectionists often spend excessive time fine-tuning projects, which can lead to them spending more time they are being paid to on the project  and increased stress. Few of us want bad work to leave the studio, even if the budget isn’t there.

2. Client Expectations: Clients may take advantage of this trait, pushing for more revisions and higher standards without corresponding increases in compensation.

3. Personal Well-being: The stress of striving for perfection can lead to burnout, impacting both mental and physical health.

Strategies to Manage Perfectionism:

1. Set Realistic Goals: Understand that perfection is subjective and set achievable standards. Accept that excellence is possible, perfection not, and even less so with low budgets and silly deadlines..

2. Communicate Clearly: Establish clear boundaries and communicate realistic timelines and expectations with clients. If you can’t deliver in the time frame they want then you need to tell them.

3. Prioritise Self-Care: Allocate time for rest and personal activities to maintain a healthy work-life balance. If you work hard then play hard.

While considering this trait it’s worth changing your quest for perfectionism, an almost impossible goal, instead aiming for excellence. That’s something I can get behind. I write about excellence in this article here.

The Pitfalls of Conscientiousness

Conscientiousness, characterised by diligence and reliability, is another common trait among audio professionals. It fosters a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to delivering high-quality work. However, conscientiousness can also be a double-edged sword.

The Downside:

1. Overcommitment: Conscientious professionals may take on too many projects, leading to overwork and exhaustion.

2. Undervaluation: Their willingness to go the extra mile can result in underpricing their services, as they may prioritise client satisfaction over fair compensation.

3. Stress and Burnout: Constantly meeting high standards and client demands can lead to significant stress and eventual burnout.

Strategies to Manage Conscientiousness:

1. Value Your Time: Recognise the value of your work and time. Ensure your rates reflect your skills and efforts.

2. Learn to Say No: It’s crucial to set boundaries. Don’t be afraid to decline projects that are unreasonable or overly demanding.

3. Delegate When Possible: If you have a team or network, delegate tasks to avoid overburdening yourself.

Navigating Client Expectations

Clients often exploit these traits, driving down budgets, imposing tight deadlines, and setting unreasonable expectations. Understanding how to manage client relationships is key to maintaining professional and personal well-being.

Establishing Clear Contracts:

• Detailed Agreements: With new clients ensure contracts are in place, outlining the scope of work, deadlines, and payment terms. This reduces the risk of misunderstandings and scope creep.

• Revisions Policy: Include a clear policy on revisions. Limit the number of revisions included in the initial fee and charge for additional changes.

Communicating Value:

• Educate Clients: Help clients understand the value of quality audio production and the effort it entails. This can justify your rates and timelines.

• Professionalism: Maintain a professional demeanour. Set expectations early and stick to them.

Setting Boundaries:

• Work Hours: Define your work hours and stick to them. Avoid answering calls, emails or PMs outside these hours to prevent burnout.

• Project Limits: Know your limits and don’t overcommit. Taking on too much work can compromise quality and your health.

Recognising When To Walk Away

Despite best efforts, there are situations where the demands of the job become unbearable, impacting your health and well-being. It's essential to recognise these moments and take decisive action, even if it means leaving your job or firing a client.

The Impact on Health:

• Physical Health: Long hours, high stress, and constant pressure can lead to physical ailments, including chronic fatigue, headaches, and more severe health issues.

• Mental Health: The strain of meeting impossible demands can lead to anxiety, depression, and burnout.

Taking Drastic Steps:

• Evaluate the Situation: Assess whether the stress and demands are worth the toll on your health. Life is too short to let work ruin your well-being.

• Plan an Exit Strategy: If you decide to leave a job or fire a client, plan your exit carefully. Ensure you have a backup plan, whether it’s savings, another job, or a different client base. Someone once described having a ‘F*ck You Fund’, this is a sum of money, about 3 months income, that insulates you in case you need to press the red button.

• Communicate Professionally: If leaving, communicate your decision professionally. This is a tiny industry, avoid burning bridges; you never know when you might cross paths with the same people again. If people ask why you have left then tell them speaking of the boss or client only in positive terms, or to put it another way, speak about them as you would hope they would speak about you.

Two Sides Of The Same Coin

Perfectionism and conscientiousness, while driving factors for excellence, can also hinder audio professionals in the business world. By recognising that these traits can also catch you out, and implementing strategies to manage them, we can reduce the chance of having them ruin us.

Establishing clear boundaries, valuing one's time and work, and maintaining a balance between passion and real-world practicality are essential for a sustainable career in the audio industry. Just because many of us would do this for free doesn’t mean we should.

Remember, no job or client is worth sacrificing your health and happiness. Life is too short to let the demands of work overshadow the joy of your passion. Or as one veteran audio engineer told me; “I’m too old for this shit!” If we are not careful, ignoring the downsides of these two incredibly positive character traits could end up with us hating what we once loved.