How to INSTANTLY Quit Procrastinating for Music Producers

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  • Опубликовано: 1 дек 2024

Комментарии • 95

  • @BrianFunkMusic
    @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад +3

    How do you fight procrastination? Share any tips!

    • @PabloDeModeOfficial
      @PabloDeModeOfficial Год назад +1

      First of all, great podcast! I’m gonna point something out: a lot of music making is interaction. When you work solo, like me, you have to built a safe system to work. If you are in an unpredictable environment, it feels like starting again every day and that’s not much different than making chores. It looks easy but it’s not. I asume artists want to work on their craft for different reasons, namely, get heard! Of course you have to show up. Where I live there are a ton of artists (some of them very talented) who work every day no matter what but somehow there’s no connection between their art and the audience. Personally I think that’s kind of boring… like living in a fantasy world. The best thing I can think about fighting procrastination is just to get to work with something that really inspires you, something you feel connected to, something you really want, only for yourself. That’s the biggest problem I’m facing: I like the work I do but then I start thinking: is this really approachable? Does it connect with reality/feelings/desire in general? Does people make think about or enjoy? I know my limitations and I find it difficult to break that barrier. One thing I recognise: it is very challenging to be a musician, singer-songwriter and also promoter, publisher, musical director, gig organisator, community manager 24/7, webmaster, and a long etcetera… I love your content and you have a lot of valuable information to keep in mind. 😊

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад +2

      @@PabloDeModeOfficial Thanks Pablo! I appreciate you watching!
      So true about the environment. I like to keep things set up at all times. I don't want to have to do to much setting up because that's often enough to make me feel to lazy or to pick something easier to do.
      I think part of the point of creating art in general is to share it. Otherwise why bother hitting record? I do like listening to my own work and there's a lot of it that never goes public, but I also enjoy the thrill of sharing it. But I try not to worry about what people will think while I'm doing it. I try to trust that if it means something to me, it will probably mean something to someone somewhere. I enjoy the connection process too.
      The beauty of today is that we have access to the entire world. The hard part is we have to do so many different jobs at the same time! But I wouldn't pick any other time than now!

    • @PabloDeModeOfficial
      @PabloDeModeOfficial Год назад +1

      @@BrianFunkMusic I absolutely agree. In fact, working in a safe environment is more or less what you say in tip #2, making it easy to start. We have now plenty of facilities to make music that were almost unimaginable 30 years ago, or we had to go to expensive studio’s to get a raw demo. Interaction and communication is, however, the key. And, how hard it sounds, I’d say: don’t believe the hype… But that’s another story…

    • @modelcitizen2028
      @modelcitizen2028 Год назад +1

      TOP TIP! Just simply load up your DAW (or favourite instrument) and have it ready to record with a few good sounds, even if you have no immediate intention of doing any music at that time.
      That removes one major barrier to getting into the routine of working on and finishing your tracks - works for me 80% of the time.
      Also, write down a game plan for your track, so you know what you need to be working on for each day: For example, drums Monday, bass-line Tuesday, chords Wednesday, etc.

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад

      This is great advice! That way when inspiration does strike, you are ready! Thanks@@modelcitizen2028

  • @polmorgan3533
    @polmorgan3533 Год назад +59

    Gonna watch this later....

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад +3

      LOL! 🤣

    • @JohnJohnCrusher
      @JohnJohnCrusher Год назад +4

      Well hopefully it's because you're busy making music!

    • @polmorgan3533
      @polmorgan3533 Год назад +2

      @@JohnJohnCrusher Actually yes i was taking a break from doing vocals. I just signed up to Distrokid and have uploaded a couple of tunes to test the water, before i put up my best tunes. ruclips.net/video/xSJCtSSKb7U/видео.html

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад +1

      @@polmorgan3533 That's awesome! Nice work on the track, listening now. I love that driving synth line!

    • @polmorgan3533
      @polmorgan3533 Год назад +2

      @@BrianFunkMusic Thanks Brian . To be continued and thanks for your good advice I feel really lucky to be alive at this time for music with so many great teachers like you, thanks.

  • @TheMisterGriswold
    @TheMisterGriswold 9 месяцев назад +3

    My best advice (works for me) is to simply start. Don't set any goals whatsoever, just start. Simply sit down with the option of getting up whenever you want, look at what's in front of you, and see what happens. Just start. You will be amazed. 🎶🎹

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  9 месяцев назад +1

      Agreed! Great advice. Simple but effective!

  • @SonicVibe
    @SonicVibe Год назад +17

    I been homeless in a shelter working full time worked my way to a new place recently, but even homeless I made myself upload consistently the last 7 months I went from knowing nothing about music to making decent stuff feel good to have the work finally start to pay off. hardest part was starting its therapeutic for me and I have fun, honestly idk 🤷‍♂️ what I would have done without it the past yr . Many nights no sleep 😴 for work but made that video I wanted to make if there is a Will there is a way is all I’m saying !

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад +3

      That's pretty amazing! Where there is a will there certainly is a way! Congratulations to you on the new place and the dedication and discipline!

  • @cathaljasonmcternan8572
    @cathaljasonmcternan8572 Год назад +1

    Brilliant video.

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад

      Thanks for watching and I'm happy you enjoyed it!

  • @DanielMaruniak
    @DanielMaruniak Год назад +5

    Chores also cultivate a more creatively conducive state. A clean environment is a great way to create.

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад +2

      I do think doing some tidying helps g we the creative juices flowing. It’s all on the balance I suppose.

    • @DanielMaruniak
      @DanielMaruniak Год назад

      @@BrianFunkMusic definitely, and I do think the point you are making is don’t let a great piece of music not be written because of a menial task that can be accomplished at any point in time. Song ideas come and go, and get lost if not captured.

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад +1

      @@DanielMaruniak Yea that's it really. Inspiration is like holding water in your hand. Drink it up or it will slip away!

  • @Andysmusicaljourney
    @Andysmusicaljourney 8 месяцев назад +1

    As an absolute beginner-musician, I can confirm that making music is very scary as I fear I can't get anything done and/or the end result is trash, and I ended up wasting my time. Then I realize, after a while, that I'm a beginner, producing shit is what I do, and that's ok. In fact, that's a requirement to produce anything good eventually. Anything I produce now is bound to be absolute garbage, so I just need to have fun while exploring sounds and those happy little accidents. But I keep forgetting that, because it's so damn hard when everything is new an uncomfortable.

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  8 месяцев назад +1

      Bad news though... those feelings never really go away! Sometimes I think the more we learn the more we realize we need to learn. I think at all stages you have to be willing to produce garbage. Not everything will be amazing, in fact by definition, most of it won't be. It's about enjoying the fun of doing it. Sometimes we get lucky! Great insight!

    • @Andysmusicaljourney
      @Andysmusicaljourney 8 месяцев назад

      @@BrianFunkMusic Oh, I do realize that. Luckily, I've got enough life experience to understand that the learning never ends. And it shouldn't end, because if it did, it would make the task itself infinitely boring. Once something is absolutely effortless and plenty, it becomes mundane. Paradoxically, you kind of need the struggle to keep at it as long as you make at least some form of progress to not get discouraged.

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  8 месяцев назад

      @@AndysmusicaljourneySo true! And it's an important thing to remember when the going gets tough!

  • @SurLife
    @SurLife Год назад +4

    Your advice is good for all the arts of life... Thanks!!

  • @JohnJohnCrusher
    @JohnJohnCrusher Год назад +3

    Part of my procrastination revolves around deeply not wanting to interact with a computer program or computer screens in general.
    But as an Ableton user thats an integral part of the music making process I'm pursuing.
    I'm far more inclined to rearrange the studio, build something with my hands, go garden... Anything but stare at a computer screen with tiny font some more
    Of course once i get going, the stoke of the sounds carries me through

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад +1

      That's an interesting point! Sometimes, especially when it''s nice out, I don't feel like sitting down at a computer. Playing guitar in a band by contrast, is more physical as I can stand move around and dance a bit. It's more physically interactive. I have a table that is counter-top height and I find that is often a much more enjoyable music-making position.
      How do you feel about DAW-less setups or real world instruments? Is there less procrastination? I haven't thought about it in these terms!

    • @JohnJohnCrusher
      @JohnJohnCrusher Год назад +2

      ​@@BrianFunkMusic I've been a gigging drumset drummer my whole life and indeed, I'm always far more inclined to sit down behind my drumset without procrastinating, I think because of that physical interaction aspect. It feels much more natural and therapeutic. So yes, I have noticed a big difference between DAW and DAW-less setups.
      My Ableton set-up is built around a MIDI keyboard. Maybe I can start my DAW sessions with some raw loud jamming each time... 🤔 Just to get me interested in starting

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад

      @@JohnJohnCrusher That's cool! Yea what instrument is more physical than drums!?!

  • @MK-vi2cm
    @MK-vi2cm Год назад +5

    I found your channel about an hour ago. Thank you for making these videos

  • @kevinshaw15
    @kevinshaw15 Год назад +1

    I put off watching this for a long time - but so true! thank you

  • @nicoincertezza5763
    @nicoincertezza5763 Год назад +1

    thank you brian! and sorry I didn't finished to watch this episode... I have to go and make some music :)

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад +1

      You can watch it later! 🤣 I'm glad you didn't waste any more time!

  • @alanredversangel
    @alanredversangel Год назад +5

    I take my laptop to my kids gymnastics class, it is literally the most productive music hour of my week for mixing, pre production, arranging etc it's all down to routine. I plan a recording EVERY time I know the house will be empty too.

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад +1

      That's a great idea. It sounds like it works because it is scheduled and there aren't any other options!

    • @alanredversangel
      @alanredversangel Год назад +1

      @@BrianFunkMusic My other productive time is after a few whisky's, usually around midnight when I noodle on a keyboard and go 'oh crap i need to get this down before I forget it' Next thing I know it's 2:30 am. This isn't very sustainable surprisingly.

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад +1

      @@alanredversangel I like the late night hours a lot, but I've gotten so trained to get up early that it's hard to do them on a regular basis. But I think that's the type of thing we can mix in from time to time. Maybe the actual times we schedule don't need to be the same time every day or week, but just that we keep it on the schedule consistently. There's a different Brian that shows up late at night compare to the Brian that shows up in the morning or afternoon. It can be fun to tap into those different sides of myself by working at different hours!

    • @PabloDeModeOfficial
      @PabloDeModeOfficial Год назад +2

      Interesting. I discovered during pandemics that the morning time is the best time to get productive. Inspirations strikes in the evening but, surprisingly, that’s the less productive time of the day. Let me explain: suddenly you found that amazing chord progression and melody and sound effect and you can’t wait to get into the studio. But your brain is tired because if you start at 11 pm, for instance, you probably have worked the whole day doing different things. It happened to me then that I spent let’s say 2 hours getting that amazing chord progression right. Insomnia follows: the melody keeps sounding in your head but you can’t wait for the next day to work on it. Then the next day you hear the product (that was my experience)… even if I liked so to say, I think “I was busy on this chord progression and melody for two hours when actually this could be done in 15 minutes!” So I realised that it was better and more productive doing relaxing-passive activities in the evening like reading a book, watching a movie or simply listening to music “ad random” (not too late in the evening tho) and then the next day with a fresh pair of ears and a fresh brain trying to get active with making music but also “work in general”. The hardest part of it all is building a sustainable habbit but that’s an essential part of the job.

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад +1

      @@PabloDeModeOfficial So true and lots of good insight! There are definitely different mindstates we can take advantage to make our music.

  • @dynatwenty
    @dynatwenty 10 месяцев назад +1

    any help on this topic is greatly appreciated! lookin into your book now.
    I can really relate to the stuff you said, man my house is so clean when i wanna be creative!
    And damn, when i get up sitting down in the studio to finally record i NOODLE shit i already noodled.
    I can sit down make music as long as im in my comfort zone and when i take on new challenges like for example learn to do vocals, or get better at guitar, i procrastinate the hell out of it.
    It didnt help my brain to feel good when i done the "work".
    Next day, phone, doom scrolling for 4 hours. i hate that and that habit needs to leave right now.

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  10 месяцев назад +1

      lol you can tell how much music I’m making based on how clean my house is

  • @michaelshondel9274
    @michaelshondel9274 9 месяцев назад +1

    Bro! I don't know why I didn't stumble across this sooner but it's exactly what I need right now. I'm actually thanking God and doing a happy dance for this book! Thank you Brian!

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  9 месяцев назад +1

      When I was working on the book, I never imagined a happy dance breaking out! But now your comment is giving me a happy dance too! Thanks :)

    • @michaelshondel9274
      @michaelshondel9274 9 месяцев назад +1

      Bought the book .. over the last few years I've gathered all the necessary tools to create a nice little home studio... I look at those tools every day, thinking to myself, I've got everything I need to record my music... But I don't. Now, with your incredible day by day book, I have an easy to follow map to course my journey. Thanks again, Brian!

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  9 месяцев назад

      @@michaelshondel9274 Much appreciated! I hope it helps. The hardest part of the equation is simply getting to work and following through. I think it's easiest when there is a plan, which is a big part of what the book offers. Please keep me posted on your progress! Enjoy :)

  • @carolynhrdng822
    @carolynhrdng822 Год назад +1

    Thank you!

  • @soldrozd877
    @soldrozd877 11 месяцев назад +1

    this guy is so good much love

  • @lilian896
    @lilian896 Год назад +1

    Thanks for this encouraging video!🩵

  • @xspace7412
    @xspace7412 Год назад

    Great tips Brian! Thank you will apply!

  • @ricktheexplorer
    @ricktheexplorer 5 месяцев назад

    I needed this today. I have a song in front of me that's busting the buffer, and I don't even know why. I hope it's done by Thursday. Tomorrow's the day!

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  5 месяцев назад

      You can do it! Today!

    • @ricktheexplorer
      @ricktheexplorer 5 месяцев назад

      @@BrianFunkMusic No, work schedules. I worked on it a little, but it's a hard song; it will be an orchestra piece and I have to start from scratch.

  • @Charles_Davis
    @Charles_Davis Год назад +1

    Hi Brian, I just wanted to stop by and say hello. I'm a big fan of your podcast. Thanks for sharing your insight and knowledge!

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад

      Thanks, Charles! Really happy to hear that :)

  • @thomasgrayiii7827
    @thomasgrayiii7827 Год назад +1

    Atomic Music Habits

  • @ctatrains
    @ctatrains Год назад +1

    You must have been hiding in my studio. Nobody could have seen me that well procrastinating. For me it's updating my daw template and matching volumes of all the synths so my lazy butt doesn't have to mix so much even if I do finish a cue. When I get one synth too loud I have to go back and raise all the other ones so I'm in the red so I have to bring them all down and match them again. Then I have lunch and watch RUclips videos on procrastination.

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад +1

      It sounds like you have been spying on me! So many of us go through this stuff. It's important to actively fight it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and reminding us that we are not alone!

  • @_Out2Lunch
    @_Out2Lunch Год назад +2

    Let me just say: as a new subscriber-your videos, your presentation-I think-is peerless on this platform. Unpretentious too.
    Since I’ve blocked Tapeop, Gearspace etc in the name of getting back to the actual “doing” part of music making-I look forward to yours being the lone encouraging voice from a congested and overwhelming social media arena.
    I’ll be careful not to watch too much!

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад +1

      Yes the doing is the hard part! Once you feel even the slightest urge to work, you have to seize it! I'm glad you are enjoying the videos and thanks for the encouraging words. :)

  • @avalotikeshwara6136
    @avalotikeshwara6136 Год назад +1

    Procrastinating watching videos like this one.

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад

      lol there's an irony to this video's existence!

  • @suntanbear4763
    @suntanbear4763 Год назад +2

    Thanks for the video and the strategies. First year I starting seeing my partner I wrote her a song for valentines day, now she expects one every year and she has 10 songs. My song completions over that 10 years is about 15 (including her 10). So I know that I can complete a song if the consequence of not doing so is the disappointment of my partner.
    I need to find some strategy equally as compelling for all the other times when I have time but don't start or I start but don't complete. When I have the most time to create is when I'm most likely to binge on a box set and do anything else but.

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад

      That's a really nice story! I love it! Maybe you should start doing a birthday song too :) Great strategy though! Thanks for sharing!

  • @davidgoode7416
    @davidgoode7416 Год назад +1

    Thanks a lot for the helpful content, it's all great

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад

      You're welcome! Thanks for watching and sending the positivity!

  • @mintheuniverse
    @mintheuniverse Год назад

    Great video 🎉

  • @Turtlpwr
    @Turtlpwr 7 месяцев назад

    Thank you

  • @kristofwynants
    @kristofwynants Год назад +1

    Hi Brian, thanks for yet another inspiring video! This topic truly rings a bell. The tips in this video will help me for chore! (Sorry, lame dad joke...) Been following you since the Afro DJMac days, so nice to see your endeavors grow in content and shape. I love how you blend music making with philosophy, science and health. Also I really liked your guest appaerance in the Tune Shed and vice versa. Thanks for spreading knowledge and inspiration and have a nice day.

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад

      Aww thanks so much! The Tuneshed guys are great! Thanks for sticking with me all these years!

  • @lorenzoreinadrums
    @lorenzoreinadrums Год назад +1

    To schedule a "creative" session seems a really good idea. I spend too much time on do lots of adjustements and not to actually work on new pieces. Do a stream session seems also interesting, but receive interactions from the viewers can be a form of distraction?

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад +1

      Any time I've done a stream, I wind up getting lost in the process. Then every once in a while I check the comments. A lot of times they are helpful, almost like having a collaborator. But I've also never had so many comments that it could really get too distracting!

  • @Bitapart
    @Bitapart Год назад +1

    Funny this happened to me a lot. I have a full day for just making music and I do all my chores first😔

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад +2

      Maybe if this was a video about getting chores done, my tip would be become a music producer!

    • @Bitapart
      @Bitapart Год назад

      @@BrianFunkMusic that might work😂

  • @Dieje
    @Dieje Год назад +1

    Why you paying the bills so aggressively !! hahahaha

  • @TylerMcConnell
    @TylerMcConnell Год назад +1

    I’m doing the EXACT same with live-streaming! Trying to do it daily. We’re cut from the same cloth, my man! 🫡😎💪

    • @BrianFunkMusic
      @BrianFunkMusic  Год назад

      That's awesome! Any time I have live-streamed, I have felt how focused it made me. I have to do it more! Thanks for sharing and keep it up!!