5 Creator Strategies for Rapid Business Success
The #1 reason why some creatives succeed and some don't is because they are not finishing the work they started.
Instead, they have 10s if not hundreds of "great" ideas for what to work on and like that completely lose focus on which work moves the needle for their business.
I know that, because I was in the same boat and when I talked to other creatives this topic came up many times.
This is why I want to teach you 5 strategies to help you get creative work done and move your business forward.
1. Capture Ideas
I can't tell you how many times I sat down to write a piece of music and was certain the idea I had yesterday would still be there.
Did you ever experience that?
Yes? Then this is for you:
“Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.” – David Allen
Implementing a system in your workflow that helps you store ideas, information, and inspiration is one of the most productive strategies I put to work for me.
For my library music production I save music that inspires me from tv shows or Spotify playlists, with the help of this system:
I have set up a recipe in IFTTT that automatically saves every track that I like on Spotify to a Notion page. Then when I need inspiration or an idea of what kind of track to write, I just need to go here.
This does not only work for music inspiration. This works for blogs, Kindle books, Twitter, podcasts, and other apps as well.
Readwise.io is a great tool to get all that implemented with one click.
2. Use Templates And Frameworks
A great framework that I read in this article by James Clear is "not breaking the chain".
Jerry Seinfeld, one of the most iconic comedians, was asked how he can create so many jokes. He said, that he created every day, and every day he did, he marked in a calendar.
With every day he marked the momentum and motivation got greater not to break the chain.
I can say from my own experience, that creating every day is not only helping with the amount you create but also sets you up for creating quicker, more consistent and
versatile content and also supports you with new ideas.
I like to work with a template for all my library music album productions.
All sounds are already loaded, which is another inspiration source
The sound stays consistent throughout sometimes 30 tracks that I create
Stems, minus mixes and reduced versions are already set up
When I sit down to compose, I waste no time searching for instruments or need to think about how it all is "wired". Huge time saver and it doesn't nip creativity in the bud by doing all the technical work.
3. Give it 2 Minutes
I am certain that after applying the first 2 strategies, this won't apply to you anymore. 😁
But it happens to the best of us.
Writer's Block, Blank Page Syndrome whatever you wanna call it.
And as Seth Godin says, the best cure is to do it anyway.
I like to think of it like this.
When I sit down to write or compose and I have nothing (again read steps 1 & 2 ☝️), I trick my brain out of the "block".
I simply say to myself: "I will just try for 2 minutes".
My brain is like: "Oh, that's not too much to ask".
And 98% of the time, that does the trick.
The coolest thing is, that this not only applies if you sit in front of a blank page but also when it comes to finishing up.
4. Give Yourself Boundaries
Boundaries can be set for both internal and external factors.
You need to set both of these boundaries to get anything done.
External factors
Social
I like to think of social networks, email, and phone calls as external factors.
Setting solid boundaries to keep social distractions away from you while you create is essential to get things done.
I found this Chrome extension and it's a hilarious tool to shield yourself from the constant scroll.
It blocks the browser for a set period and every time you want to access your browser, a message like this shows up.
I don't like tools that shut off your internet completely because when it comes to writing I need access to the internet to research.
This is why I use gofuckingwork.com
Messages
Email and phone need to be shut off at all times. I make great use of No Disturb modes on my Mac and phone.
Email is no instant messenger and when I get a phone call during focus time, I can easily call back.
Since I work in timed blocks, I have time to respond as I see fit every hour or so.
Internal factors
Limiting Choices
Sometimes when I have too many choices in plugins, sounds, or sources for writing, my brain shuts off.
It is like when you put a 3-year-old in front of the toys aisle and ask what he wants.
That is why I have templates that limit me and do not buy new plugins in a situation where I am not getting further with my creations.
Batch Production
Modern creative workflows these days almost always make use of an app (DAW, Design App, etc.) that can do everything. That is a blessing and a curse at the same time.
This is very distracting for people without the ability to hyper-focus (like me).
I write, produce, mix, master, arrange, and orchestrate at the same time. That forces my brain and creative output to switch between these modes constantly.
And that involves Switching costs.
Switching costs are the cost of lost time when you mentally transition from one topic to another. These topics can be related, but they are typically unrelated to one another
That's why I limit myself to one thing at a time.
For example:
Hour 1: Melodic and harmonic foundation with a single piano.
Hour 2: Structure of the track, still only piano
Hour 3: Arrangement & Orchestration, now the cool sounds come in
Hour 4: Mixing. Up until this point no Limiters, EQs, dynamics, and the likes
Hour 5: Master and Alt versions
End-of-day ideas
Christian Henson from Spitfire Audio gave me this idea. And it works fantastically.
He discusses this on his Youtube channel in this video
The idea is:
When you're about done for the day, make it a habit to write down 2-3 new ideas.
You already overcome the blank page today and you're in a great spot to just keep going.
For me, that hack alone is a game-changer. Being in the creative flow already, not having to overcome barriers of entry, makes a huge difference in speed and creative output.
That lets the day end on a high note and sets you up for success the next morning.
5. 95% Done Is Probably Good Enough
I am a perfectionist. Yes, I admit it.
But I think perfectionism is holding me back most of the time.
Tinkering around for a track 7 days in a row, just to find out that version 3 was good does not have many advantages.
Certainly, I want to deliver the best possible creative work to my clients and audience, but at what opportunity cost?
I could have used the time to write a new track, build my network, and spend time with the family.
When it comes to getting my creative work out the door, I consider these factors.
And most of the time I walk away from my creations much earlier than I used to a couple of years back.
And when I get to the 95% mark it is always good enough, the client is happy, and I get paid or rewarded.
TL;DR
1. Capture Ideas
2. Use Templates and Frameworks
3. Just give it 2 minutes
4. Set boundaries for yourself
5. 95% done is probably good enough
