Mindset – The Biggest Stumbling Block

What prevents you from achieving the things you want? What stops you from doing the things you love, such as music? I’ve noticed that for me the biggest stumbling block on the way to doing anything worthwhile has not been – the lack of time, lack of skills, equipment or space – but mindset. I let myself believe excuses why I don’t get things done, but in the end it’s all about the mindset.

“I don’t have the time” is the biggest lie you tell yourself. The thing is that we all have enough time. It’s about how we spent that time we have. Successful people spend their time doing the things they love and what they’re passionate about. How to know what’s your passion: What would you do everyday, if everything was free? That’s your passion. I’m guessing, just like me, it would be music to you too.

Nothing will happen, unless you decide to do something about it. If you live in an “I’ll do it when… – land”, you’re not going to do it at all. This is because your passion is not your priority. It’s a nice thought at the back of your mind, nothing more. Do it now, as there is no time like the present. 

Planning, Consistency and Motivation

The only difference between successful and unsuccessful people is how they spend their time. In order to spend your time on the things you really really want, you have to plan, stay motivated and consistent. If you don’t, you’re likely to fall into doing what you feel at any given moment. You’ll end up watching Netflix, scrolling down Instagram or Facebook, playing Playstation or just killing time. 

Plan tasks aligned with your passion and set goals and deadlines for different tasks. Make a schedule when you’re going to focus on your passion and stick to it, consistently. Consistency is harder when no one is clapping for you, you must clap for yourself during those times. Be your own biggest fan and get excited for the little things that you’ll achieve, whether it’s a new song idea, a finished album or a good sounding mix that you created. Celebrate those little achievements to keep motivation alive.

Take Action

You don’t find inspiration, you create it, you don’t find happiness, you create it. If you’re just waiting for inspiration, the chances are it will never arrive. Once you pick up that guitar and start playing it, the inspiration will eventually arrive. It may not be the first thing you play, but the second or the third. You may find something that works and inspires you – igniting the spark to a new song.  It’s easier to keep motivated once you see the results and I promise you there won’t be any results, if you’re not starting at all. 

No one can motivate you, until you can motivate yourself. Until your mindset is right, nobody else can motivate you. Unfortunately it’s up to you, and you alone. To stay motivated from the beginning, start with little goals week by week, month by month.

Before you know it you’ve come far from where you began. When insecurity creeps in, remember this: If you quit now, you’ll end up right where you first began, and when you first began, you were desperate to be right where you are now. So keep going.

It’s time to take action. We are brainwashed into thinking that we need to consume countless information. There are millions of books and courses out there. It’s all useless, if you don’t start implementing that information. At first, take action, and then read and learn more about it when there’s the need.

 

Action Steps

Okay, it’s time to stop reading and start doing. Here are action steps for you to get going with your passion:

Make a reasonable to-do-list. 

Set a small goal (and a deadline) for every task. 

Focus on one goal at a time. 

Seek or ask for help on stuff you don’t understand. For instance, if you’re not able to do something on your DAW.

Figure out the hours during which you’re the most productive and try to focus on your passion during those hours. 

Group smaller tasks together in order to complete them faster. For example recording all guitar parts for all songs at the same time.

Aim 10 times higher.

Summary

It’s time to stop making excuses and start doing more of what you’re passionate about. Nobody can motivate you, but you. Stay motivated with the right mindset, the results that come with planning, goals, deadlines and with being consistent. Start now, because life is short, and time is the only resource that we are never ever getting back.

Thanks for reading. These PDF-guides will help you further with your music.

5 Steps to Create Music Faster  (..and avoid the writer’s block!)

6 Step Guide to Realistic Midi Drums

You can get them for free today, no strings attached, enjoy!

Read also: “How to Keep Motivation Alive?”