Not having a routine as a music maker can destroy your creative momentum.
It sounds like a paradox because we usually think of a disciplined routine as limiting our creativity but contrary to popular belief “Discipline = Freedom” as Jocko says.
Unfortunately, most musicians don’t prioritize establishing a consistent routine, leading to a lack of dedicated time for their craft.
But this common pitfall can be easily avoided by implementing a few simple yet powerful habits.
Creating consistently isn’t a matter of some secret.
It’s about doing the basics.
We all know that. But knowing what to do is the easy part. Actually doing it is harder. And following through on it consistently is the toughest part.
Even I often forget this at times. It’s usually due to some shiny object pulling us away like:
- New plugins
- Wanting new gear
- Saying “Yes” to to many things
- New platforms to post content on
- Watching videos or scrolling social media
But these distractions can be avoided by making sure you do the “boring work” – AKA the basics.
It’s these foundational practices that lay the groundwork for sustained creativity and growth.
These are the 5 habits every music makers day should have that have helped me out the most to create consistently:
1) A music session to create
Taking time everyday to create is the core of what it means to be a music maker.
Even if it’s only for 10 minutes a day, it will add up overtime.
It’s about honing in on your craft, and creating a sound that is true to you.
For me, creative time helps to feed my flow state and allow me to express myself.
2) A listening session for ideas
A listening session is a good way to feed you brain ideas that you can use in future productions.
Then the next time I go to my studio to produce I look through those notes and can pull from them to create. This way I never have to face a blank DAW and can get the balling rolling quickly when starting my sessions.
I’ll often listen to albums and whenever I hear something I find unique I jot it down in a note. This could be a drum pattern, a melody, a mixing technique, basically anything that catches your ear.
3) Healthy food for energy
In the same way that we need to feed our brain ideas, we also need to feed it good nutrients.
If you eat crappy processed food all day its going to be draining on your body because of the energy needed to digest it. This makes concentrating during your session harder and more tiring. Often I see this as one of the main reasons producers burnout without realizing.
I’m not going to tell you exactly what to eat because everyones diet is different (and lets be real Im not a dietician, I just make music lol)
But one thing I keep in mind is garbage in, garbage out.
4) Time connecting with fans
Reaching out to fans to connect with them is one of the best ways to build up relationships with your audience and confidence in your creations by hearing the impact they are having on others.
Someone telling you to your face that they enjoy your music means way more than a comment on a post.
Both are amazing, but one gives a bigger boost and leaves a lasting impression on both sides. Imagine what it would feel like getting to connect with one of the producers you look up to?
5) Time to reflect on today and plan tomorrow
I saved the best for last. This step is the most important to my routine and when I miss it, it throws my entire day off.
My reflection and planning are rather simple:
- 3 Gratitudes from the current day.
- 3 top tasks with 1 being my top priority for tomorrow.
- Time block out my day so I know where to be and when.
These 3 steps allow me to not have to waste brainpower on what I should be doing next leaving more energy for focused creation.
In All
If you do these 5 things each day, you’ll be ahead of 95% of music makers struggling to create consistently.
Don’t let missing out on these basic habits stop you from finishing more music and growing your fanbase.
Try out this routine and see what effect it has on your music.