The Motivation Problem
People think that a lack of inspiration is the almighty song killer, but it is actually the lack of motivation that holds the smoking gun. Inspiration comes from everywhere; motivation comes from within. While there is no one-size-fits all approach to increasing your motivation, this blog will explore some ideas to help things flow a little more smoothly.
Like most people, my new year resolutions are already hoisted up on shaky supports. No matter how many motivational cliches I see on my Facebook feed, or how many Ted Talk videos I watch on Youtube, or the vast number of meme-able platitudes that I scroll past on Instagram, I am still fundamentally unchanged as a person. We all suffer from the motivation problem.
Last week we talked about overcoming the blank page. When people tell you that the hardest part is starting they seldom inform you that the next hardest part is continuing. Mental images of the laboring artist aside, we also tend to forget that creative endeavors can and should be a great deal of fun - so long as we maintain the right perspective.
When I was a teenager I would write three or four songs every day and I was absolutely miserable all of the time. It was positively dreadful! I knew that the only way to get better was through daily practice. Unfortunately, back in those days I had no sense of moderation. I didn't know that a simple fifteen minutes a day would have been better for my art and my mental health than spending a grueling ten hours per day on my craft. Sure, I ended up in a pretty good place, but now as I look back at the geography of my life's trajectory, I can see that there were better paths available to me.
Since you can't fundamentally change yourself overnight, you are going to have to settle for learning to work with yourself. That’s okay though because you’re pretty great already.
Some songwriters write a song ever day and others write a few per year. Both approaches are 100% valid. I tend to write in 15 to 30 minute increments multiple times daily. I know plenty of writers who would shudder at the thought of writing in short, focused bursts, but after having tried every routine under the sun this is the one that works best for me. The more you write the better you’ll get, but keep in mind that you have your whole life to be great. The elevator may get you where you’re going faster, but the stairs will take you to the same destination and you’ll be a little healthier once you get there.
As you try out new routines make sure that you pay attention and take note of how you are feeling. If you were my student, I would want you to have a healthy relationship with songwriting filled with as many positive associations regarding the craft as possible. Burnout is a very real thing and the hustle mentality that has permeated our culture is not your friend.
This week, I encourage you to set aside fifteen minutes every day to write. I bet by the end of the week you’ll have a pretty great song. Or maybe you’ll end up with four partial songs that you can finish at a later date. That’s good too. Without a doubt, you’ll end this week a better writer and you’ll be one third of the way to establishing some good writing habits.