How To Beat Music Procrastination (for good - 6 tips)

As a music producer, it can be challenging to stay productive and motivated while working alone.

Procrastination can be a major obstacle to creating music consistently, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can conquer it.

In this post, I'll share 6 practical tips for music producers to help you beat procrastination and create music consistently through daily habits that have helped producers I've worked with.

1) Set TRAQTR Goals:

The best way to begin attacking procrastination is by mowing it down using the TRAQTR method. If you're not familiar with TRAQTR method of goals setting, here's what it is:

Timeframe Oriented or Deadline Oriented - What is the specific timeframe or deadline to finish the goal by?

Relevant/Reward Oriented (Intrinsic & Extrinsic Motivations) - Why is this goal relavent for you? What is the reward you will give yourself when you achieve the goal?

Actionable - Is this an action that you know you CAN do and WILL do?

Quantifiable - What specific number or quantity do you need to reach for you goal?

Trackable or Measurable - How are you going to measure the results in a tangible way?

Reflectable - How are you able to use the measurements to create feedback loops?

Using the TRAQTR method helps you have a clear direction and purpose in your music production journey.

2) Break Down Goals Into Small Tasks:

Big goals can feel overwhelming, but breaking them down into small tasks makes them much more manageable.

For example, producing a full album might feel daunting, but if you can think of a way to complete one track per day, you'll have an album in just a few weeks.

The smaller you break your goals down, the more achievable they become.

3) Create A Schedule (and Stick To It):

Once you have your goals broken down, you need to create a schedule to start executing the tasks needed to achieve those goals.

Identify the times of day when you are most productive and schedule your music production tasks during those times. Time blocking > Creating To Do Lists

Create a recurring invite in your calendar and include links to the tools you'll use during that time block. Aim for 2-3 hours of focused "deep work" using time-management techniques (coming on the 6th tip).

3.5) Fill Schedule In Advance

Planning your week ahead of time is useful because it allows you to reduce the friction involved in taking action so you don’t procastinate.

For example, every week I take one day to make a list of albums to listen to, and search for samples to collect, then put them all in a folder for later.

Now that I have a batch of samples ready, anytime I sit down to create music during the week I can use them as inspiration right away rather than wasting time searching and losing my motivation to create.

If you want free samples and drums that you can use to help you with a smoother workflow, and to save time when creating then checkout the new Free Dreams Preview Pack we just put out!

4) Eliminate Distractions:

When it's time for deep work, it's important to stay uninterrupted.

Put your phone and other devices on Do Not Disturb mode.

Turn off push notifications.

Close all social media tabs.

Create a distraction-free environment by shutting the door to your studio or using headphones with lo-fi beats or white noise. This is your dedicated time to focus solely on creating music.

5) Get Organized:

Having a clean and tidy workspace can greatly improve your productivity.

Keep your studio desk clutter-free and minimal, with only the tools you need to create music. Avoid unnecessary piles of junk or messy papers.

Having an organized workspace allows you to focus on your music production tasks without distractions.

6) Use Time-Management Techniques:

Effective time management is crucial for avoiding procrastination.

Consider using a Pomodoro Timer, which involves working for 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break.

Repeat this cycle for 6 rounds to complete almost 3 hours of deep work. This technique can help you stay focused and motivated throughout your music production sessions.

One Last Takeaway:

As you complete your music production tasks and move closer to your goals, you become more disciplined in how you spend your time and are able to achieve flow with your creative process.

When you have a clear plan and schedule, and eliminate distractions, you're more likely to stop procrastinating and create music consistently.

“Flow is being completely involved in an activity for its own sake. The ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one, like playing jazz.” - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi