"I work 9-5... I DONT HAVE TIME TO PRODUCE" lol chill I worked one too - heres what helped me

It's not the amount of time you have, its what you do with it!

Yeah, there are young producers who have all day to produce...

And sure, they have more time BUT that doesn't mean they have an advantage and get ahead further.

I think it's more the opposite.

They have too much time and not enough pressure to focus.

Having a 9-5 while you work on music is a blessing when you think about it.

Now I don't mean to say you will be stuck in your 9-5 forever.

BUT, having one gives you a superpower advantage others don't get.

Focus - the super power of the 21st century

With your limited time and energy after work, you have no choice but to focus.

You have to be intentional with your effort towards music and growing your project.

Otherwise, you won't make any progress and you will be stuck in the endless cycle of wake up, work, come home, relax and repeat!

So this pressure is good if you know how to use it right.

Now whether you have the right info, frameworks and processes in place which allow for focus is another matter ( part of what I teach - shameless plug 😉 ).

Regardless, you still have that pressure to make something happen with the time you have UNLIKE everyone else who has all day to produce.

2 Hours of focused work = 8 hours of screwing around half ass work.

So you should be thankful for your 9-5.

Use that energy from wanting to leave and do music full time to actually work harder and smarter and to do more in your productions.

Now, it's important I mention the difference between positive and negative pressure.

Eustress vs Distress

There are 2 types of stress.

Eustress = good, healthy pressures. Things that push you to grow and to do better.

This doesn't mean it's comfortable or feels good - quite the opposite.

Think of these like "growing pains" or muscle soreness after the gym.

It hurts, but it's your muscles actively recovering after being torn down at the gym.

For example, you have a work project due but you know that you're prepared enough to be able to do it well.

After the project, you feel a sense of accomplishment.

Distress = negative stress and unhealthy pressures.

Things that give you anxiety and freak you out.

Or when you feel unable to cope with whatever challenge you're facing.

Back to the work project example.

If you have an upcoming project but you know you're not prepared, you're going to feel anxious or panicked.

That's the difference.

Now the reason I highlight this is to share that you can use both of these types of stress to make better music by focusing.

If focus is a flame, stress is the spark.

Use whatever stress you have from work to push yourself into a focused state.

Got back late from work and only have 3 hours of free time?

Good.

Use that time pressure before you have to sleep and go to work tomorrow to fuel your productions.

Use it to stop overthinking as much, use it to work with your hands faster, remember keyboard shortcuts better etc.

Had a good day at work, you crushed your presentation and had a good conversation with your crush?

Good.

Use that positive momentum and excitement to fuel your production session and get into a flow state better.

Have an important deadline and you've barely started to do any work?

(Literally me right now as I'm writing this letter 12 hours before releasing it and still have to film and edit it LMAO).

Good!!!!

Use that deadline to sharpen your focus, turn off distractions and finish your work.

It feels good to be in a focused flow state.

The important trait

Regardless of whether it's with music or anything else in your life.

Making positive re-frames is important. AKA seeing the glass half full vs half empty.

So stop focusing on what you don't have and instead focus on what you CAN do - like all the winners do.

Hope this was helpful and you start to re-frame your current situation to work for you instead of seeing it as a limitation!

Peace,

Vig

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