This week I spoke to a songwriter friend, who asked me how many songs I write each week or so. And, upon reflection, I realized that this rate has changed over time.
When I started working as a full-time songwriter, I tried to write something each day.
Now, with my own publishing and a few other things (books!), I tend to write a little less.
However, sometimes when I go to co-write with two specific friends and songwriters, especially in Nashville, we can easily push out three new songs in just half a day. I can understand it seems a difficult achievement (if you call it that), but this is songwriting, not investment banking, so it’s much more fun and doable.
What is productivity for us songwriters?
Productivity is about creating great work while still maintaining a healthy balance in life. This is something I have been thinking about for a while. It is the ability to be productive as a commercial songwriter, but only when I understand one thing:
Finished is better than perfect
Though I may fear that writing three songs in one afternoon would result in poorer quality work, this is often not the case – sometimes, these are some of my best songs. I must be willing to let go of perfection and put out work that is good enough.
The key here is to focus on finishing my work before me, rather than striving for perfection every time.
How to be more productive
Part of being more productive is about giving us permission to need to do more. Everyone has their own way of dealing with the internal editor and the creative child chatting inside us.
But what do we do to make ourselves more productive? Here’re a few ideas:
Lower the hurdle in your mind – the thing preventing you from being a highly productive songwriter. Write faster by giving yourself permission to do so, and don't be afraid to sketch things out that may or not require revision later. It's okay if you can't change everyone's writing habits, but you can choose to up the tempo of co-writes and encourage people to finish songs before they leave the room. How great would that feel?
Try the three-song challenge – Write three songs in one day and see how you feel afterward. Try to listen to them the next day with fresh ears. You might be surprised at how good they sound!
Restrictions can make you more creative – this is something that happens with me: if I have to get a song finished by a deadline, they nearly always get out as lovely, cool songs. Without the deadline, they wouldn’t have existed before. That’s what I mean when I say the deadline is a restriction that makes me more creative.
Take a special look – Take a look around and see who is stopping you from being more productive. Most people find that it is themselves who are holding themselves back. If it is a real person, someone who tries to keep you from being productive, you might be able to get them to focus less on your art and more on something else.
Show when you’re ready – I’ve heard a lot about this, and I still love Austin Kleon’s work about getting things out there to show to the world. But, for your lovely songwriting work, I personally wait until it’s out there before it’s due. Not overdue. But out there when I am ready to show it. Look after yourself as a creative.
The power of hindsight – even after you've turned in a song to your publisher or whoever else you are showing your work to, you – as the creator of this work – have the unique opportunity to rewrite any element of your work and send it back if you really think it’s worth doing. This happens all the time when songs are being pitched to artists (especially new artists), producers, and management. Publishers always give helpful feedback, because they are pros. Fresh ears and a day of hindsight can sometimes make what is a great song a totally awesome song, so give it a go.
But just remember, finished is better than perfect.
Questions
Here are some questions for you to consider:
How about the three-song challenge, either all in one day or even half a day?
Would it be helpful to give yourself an extra day before showing your work just to figure out (and celebrate) how cool your work really is?
Could it be there's a critique (either an inner or a real critique out there) that you could somehow turn off for a while, just to see how it works not turning up?
Hope this is helpful!
Simon