Unlocking Your Musical Potential: It's Ditching Those Bad Habits

We've all been there. Staring at a blank DAW, fumbling through scales with no real progress, or endlessly tweaking a track without ever hitting "export." It's frustrating, and often, we blame a lack of talent or inspiration. But what if I told you that your biggest roadblocks to becoming a more productive musician, to nailing those practices and actually finishing tracks, aren't about your innate ability, but rather a tangled web of bad habits and mindsets?

Let's break it down.

Bad habits and limiting mindsets just makes everything more confusing and difficult!

They're Just Bad Habits

It's easy to overcomplicate things, but at its core, a lack of productivity in your musical journey often boils down to just that: bad habits. These are the unconscious defaults that steer you away from progress.

Bad Thinking Mindsets*

Before we even touch a key or a fader, our minds can be our worst enemies.

• "I'll just wing it." This mindset leads to aimless practice sessions and chaotic production. Without a clear goal, you're just drifting.
• Perfectionism as Procrastination: Constantly tweaking, never feeling like it's "good enough." This isn't about quality; it's about avoiding completion.
• "I need to be inspired." Waiting for inspiration is like waiting for rain in a desert. Consistent effort breeds inspiration, not the other way around.
• Comparisonitis: Scrolling through social media, seeing what other musicians are doing, and feeling inadequate. This saps your energy and focus from your own work.

*If I had to break down why I don't get things done and why tracks never get finished, it's because of these limiting beliefs!! 

Bad Implementation

Even with good intentions, poor execution can derail your efforts.

• Passive Practice: Just playing through songs without actively identifying areas for improvement or using targeted exercises.
• Distracted Sessions: Having your phone buzzing, social media tabs open, or other distractions vying for your attention during your dedicated music time.
• Overwhelm by Choice: Too many plugins, too many samples, too many ideas. This can lead to analysis paralysis rather than decisive action.

Bad Planning

Failing to plan is planning to fail, especially in music.

• No Clear Goals: Do you know what you want to achieve in your practice session today? Or with this track this week? Vague intentions lead to vague results.
• Unrealistic Expectations: Trying to learn a complex solo in an hour, or finish a fully mixed track in a single afternoon. This leads to burnout and discouragement.
• Ignoring the Nitty-Gritty: Not allocating time for essential but less glamorous tasks like organizing your samples, backing up your work, or learning music theory.

Bad Systems

Your approach to your musical life needs structure. Without it, things fall apart.

• Lack of Routine: Irregular practice times or sporadic production sessions make it hard to build momentum.
• Disorganized Workspace: A cluttered desk or a chaotic digital environment wastes valuable time and mental energy.
• No Feedback Loop: Not actively seeking or implementing feedback on your music, which is crucial for growth.

Good work habits and organization just makes everything easier!

Bad Habits (Again, because they're that important!)

Yes, we're circling back because these are the concrete actions (or inactions) that manifest from the mindsets and planning failures.

• Hitting the "Browse" button endlessly: Instead of focusing on sound design or arrangement, you're lost in a sea of presets.
• Leaving tracks unfinished: Jumping from idea to idea without the discipline to see one through to completion.
• Skipping warm-ups or cool-downs: Treating your practice like a sprint rather than a sustainable marathon.
• "Just five more minutes" on social media: Before you know it, an hour has passed.

Bad Knee-Jerk Reactions

When things get tough, how do you respond?

• Giving up easily: Encountering a difficult passage or a production hurdle and immediately abandoning the effort.
• Blaming tools/gear: Believing that a new synth or a different microphone will magically solve your productivity woes.
• Seeking instant gratification: Looking for quick fixes or shortcuts instead of putting in the consistent effort.

Bad "Go-Tos"**

What's your default when you're stuck or feeling unmotivated?

• Mindless Browse: Rather than problem-solving, you fall into the trap of endless scrolling.
• Comfort zone repetition: Playing the same familiar riffs or working on the same type of track because it's easy, rather than challenging yourself.
• Distraction as a coping mechanism: Turning to games, TV, or anything else to avoid the work.

The good news? If productivity issues come down to bad habits and mindsets, then the solution lies in cultivating good habits and empowering mindsets. It's about intentionality, structure, and a willingness to examine and change your defaults.

**In our next posts, we'll dive into practical strategies for overcoming these common pitfalls and transforming your musical journey. 

For now, take some time to honestly assess your own habits. Which of these resonate with you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!