Procrastination-Working solo at home

dfuruta · Post by **dfuruta** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:29 am

As long as I do a little work on my music each day I'm happy, even if it's just a few minutes editing or figuring out a new part. If there's constant progress it'll get done eventually.

Int'l Feel · Post by **Int'l Feel** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 7:22 am

ott0bot wrote: and another thing...
not having a full time day job.

This. Before I started doing the full time day job thing, I had the time/energy/motivation to write/record an album's worth of music for a friend's play in the span of about 4 months. It was a lot of background and incidental music, but I was working! Synapses were firing! Now, not so much. Can't finish a thing. Can write the songs, but can't finish the arrangements or record them.

Also, having an understanding roommate/ladyfriend/etc. is crucial. Something I'm wrestling with now. Sure, I've beefed up the home recording situation (I HAD to, it's kind of like I'm subconsciously bribing myself to keep day-jobbing so I can afford gear), but to block out time between work and life is no easy feat.

Clearly, I have some issues to sort out

It's good to know that I am not the only one...

nobody, really · Post by **nobody, really** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 7:44 pm

*Having concrete deadlines
*Starting at exactly 9am or whichever arbitrary time you choose
*Keeping a morning break, lunch and afternoon break at exact times, every day
*Being accountable for how much work you've done that day, be it your boss or your spouse
*Getting dressed like you were going to work, because you are going to work

I am self employed and sticking to a schedule has been a lifesaver for me. Just having a concrete start time is probably the most important.

roscoenyc · Post by **roscoenyc** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 5:30 am

My cat is usually pretty helpful and encouraging.

losthighway · Post by **losthighway** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 12:55 pm

I have problems sometimes too. It helps me to schedule either quantities of time, or quantities of work before breaks. I.e., mix 2 songs, walk the dog, mix 2 more, eat lunch.

vvv · Post by **vvv** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 1:26 pm

Two idears:

1. I am basically a hobbiest, but I find that combining activities can help with motivation, ex., a good cuppa coffee can make for a good vocal track, and a fresh martoonie makes for a pleasant guitar solo experience.

2. cabinetpin.com maintains an ongoing challenge to write and record a song on the 20th of every month. A similar system of rain-or-shine scheduling might help (altho' for me, that would not be very rock-n-roll, even if I've done 'em for almost a year).

Bro Shark · Post by **Bro Shark** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 2:52 pm

roscoenyc wrote:My cat is usually pretty helpful and encouraging.

Mine tells me to kick back with a beer then go to bed early. Sadly enough, she's usually right.

Snarl 12/8 · Post by **Snarl 12/8** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 4:34 pm

a you in a different setting where an alternate palette of brain functions will be available for painting reality.

This could also describe moving your studio to a different building.

roscoenyc · Post by **roscoenyc** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 6:37 pm

Snarl 12/8 wrote:
a you in a different setting where an alternate palette of brain functions will be available for painting reality.
This could also describe moving your studio to a different building.

I have a recording studio that's a couple miles from my home.
My original post relates to working at home (which I also do from time to time)

nobody, really · Post by **nobody, really** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 9:20 am

Bro Shark wrote:
roscoenyc wrote:My cat is usually pretty helpful and encouraging.
Mine tells me to kick back with a beer then go to bed early. Sadly enough, she's usually right.

your guy's cats seem really nice. mine just tells me to feed her, and turn the heat up.

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