Most of the time, we just need to sit down and focus on the task at hand to get it done. Avoiding distractions is usually pretty easy and we can rely on our willpower to carry us through to get important things done. But willpower is a finite resource and sometimes, our morning coffee is just not quite cutting it to summon up the focus we need to get started, or we could be having a dreaded “off day”.
With creative projects like writing music, producing, mixing or mastering, we can occasionally let tasks build up in our heads so that they almost become too big or too difficult to even get started. It’s generally not an accurate representation of what’s actually going on but you can still feel a bit demotivated and unsure of where to start – especially if it’s a new challenge. There’s nothing wrong with feeling this way and it’s part of human nature.
If you’ve become uninspired, you’re no longer as fired up about the projects on your plate as you once were and you’ve taken the steps to avoid having an “off day” in the studio, it’s time to look for inspiration.
Get Inspired – Tip #1: Listen to your favourite music
As a music lover, surely you’ll be listening to lots of music. Pull out some of your favorite tracks and listen to them. Listen for fun, listen critically and listen for inspiration.
Are there techniques or styles you hear that you absolutely love and can apply to your own projects and put your own spin on?
One of my favourites to get me motivated no matter what mood I’m in is ‘Time’ by Hans Zimmer.
Get Inspired – Tip #2: Tap into your ambition
You have the taste to know what sounds good to you. Use that as a benchmark for what you want to achieve. Think about your reference mixes and play them repeatedly. If you don’t feel inspired after listening to them, you’ve picked the wrong references!
Think about how much you want to be at that level and how much work the artists you’re listening to have put in to get to that point. No matter what your goals are, by getting started and completing each project, you’re getting closer.
Get Inspired – Tip #3: Look outside of music
Listening to really great music will help you and perhaps that’s all you need, but don’t forget the world of sound design, audio art, or anything that you love that inspires you.
Great paintings, books, poetry, moments in film or motivational speeches will also get you feeling fired up and ready to go.
I like watching this video every now and then to help me get going…
Get Inspired – Tip #4: Stay positive and open
Any time you find a quote, a video, an article or anything that motivates you and makes you feel like you could take on any challenge… keep a note of it.
Whatever way you organise things – whether it be through Google Drive, Evernote or just a local folder with a Word document, keep all the music, links, images and videos in one place, so that you don’t have to go looking for them every time. When you come across something new that you love, add it to this resource.
The most important thing is that you have an inspired creative vision for what you want to achieve from the project.
These are just extra little tips that will help you get there. This is your chance to re-engage and bring something amazing to life.
Be passionate, be optimistic and keep enjoying what you’re doing.
Some fun homework…
Spend no more than 15 minutes putting together some of the things that inspire you. Pick some music, videos, quotes or whatever works for you and start building your inspirational database for the times when you feel your motivation is dropping. It will save you time and energy.
Don’t forget to share what helps you by leaving a comment!
Now, I’d love to know…
What are inspires you? Share some of what works for you and you’ll help out someone else!
Leave a comment below!
professional sounding mix every time...
Great article Stephen. Keep it up man!
Thanks Theo!
I like to hang out in nature……I’ll take my drone camera out to where there are no human footprints or trash and large animals that can hurt me and hang out there for a while. It never ceases to inspire and motivate me. I also get a lot of instrumental ideas from doing this…….I recommend trying nature (unsullied) as a way to jump start your music……
Cheers
Nature does wonders for us! Hope you’re having fun with that drone 🙂
Hi there! Thanks for the motivational video. I believe it suits each and everyone of us, regardless of what we are trying to achieve.
About inspiration: I think that we can do a song virtually from anything. Ideas may come just as easy as, for example, if one steps on a chewing gum and gets real mad because of it (why not make a song about this?). Or we can think of an instrumental when looking at the sea on an empty beach…
Just by curiosity, most of my ideas develop when I´m taking bath (can some psychologist explain why?).
What makes me desperate: astonishing melodic and harmonic tracks normaly come to my mind just before fall asleep. If I don`t jump out of bed that instant, by morning they`re gone!
I agree – ideas can come from anywhere. Using those ideas is another thing! No idea on why thoughts come to you in the bath but there are entire forums dedicated to people sharing their “shower thoughts”. Maybe it’s because it is one of the few times in a day where we’re completely alone without distraction?
Yes, maybe you`re right… and I don`t have time to go to this forums, so I`ll stick to your oppinion! 🙂