A musician’s guide to better time management
Stress and burnout aren’t great ingredients for music-making. This guide to time management can help boost productivity and keep you on track.
Something we all wish we had more of is time. Time to write, time to record, time to practice, just more time to exist. But, as an independent artist with so much to balance, it can be difficult to keep track of time and fit everything in. Certainly, it can be difficult to not let things overwhelm you and become too much. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide to better time management, full of tips to become your best creative self.
Why is time management so important?
Sometimes we think we have everything under control. But, without realising, we’re actually flapping manically beneath the surface and are just inches away from drowning. This can lead to mistakes being made, things being missed, and the enjoyment of being a musician being snatch away.
Adding some structure to your life doesn’t have to mean endless restrictions and your creativity being stifled. Having plans can aid time management and lead to increased creative output. Just some of the benefits that make better time management so important include:
- Boosted Creativity: When you’re not scrambling to meet deadlines or stressing over unfinished tasks, your brain has more space to be creative. No more creative blocks from burnout!
- Achieve More: Whether it’s releasing new singles, booking gigs, or promoting yourself on social media, proper time management helps you tick off those important tasks instead of feeling overwhelmed.
- Work-Life Balance: Let’s not forget the importance of having a life outside of music. Time management gives you more breathing room for family, friends, and yourself—without the guilt.
Also, managing your time effectively lets you focus on making quality music. After all, isn’t that the whole point? And with better time management, you’ll have more music to share with the world!
Top tips for better time management
Now you’re sold on the benefits, here are some practical tips on how you can improve your time management and enjoy being an independent artist again.
Make a Plan
Planning doesn’t always feel like the most fun activity, but making a simple plan can make a world of difference. Start by breaking down your week. What are your non-negotiable tasks? These might include rehearsals, recording sessions, or promotional activities.
Once you’ve got the big stuff planned out, fit in smaller tasks like social media posts or songwriting sessions. Scheduling doesn’t have to be a bore, it’s more about creating structure so you can stay in your creative flow without getting derailed.
Set realistic goals
The idea of making it big sounds great, but vague goals like “I want to be famous” or “I want to go viral” won’t help. Instead, set smaller, realistic goals. Say, “I want to finish writing two songs this week,” or “I want to post one piece of content each day.” Breaking things down this way makes it easier to stay on track and feel accomplished as you go.
Bonus tip: make those goals SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). SMART goals are easy to tick off, and give you a great boost when you do complete them.
Chunk it down
“Chunking” is a pretty gross term, but it is a very helpful time management technique that can make daunting tasks much more, well, manageable.
If you have a massive project on the horizon, like recording a new album or organising a tour, break it down into smaller tasks. Instead of thinking, “I need to finish this entire album,” focus on finishing one track at a time. Even break that down further—write the lyrics today, work on the melody tomorrow. These small wins keep you motivated and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.
Try the Pomodoro Technique
One of the best ways to beat procrastination is the Pomodoro Technique. Set a timer for 25 minutes, focus solely on one task (no distractions!), and then take a five-minute break. After four Pomodoro sessions, take a longer break. It’s amazing how much you can get done when you know there’s a break around the corner.
This method is perfect for those of us who struggle with getting stuck in the social media scroll or spending too long tweaking that snare drum sound.
Minimise distractions
We all get distracted, it’s only human. It’s almost impossible to not get distracted when our phones are designed to draw our attention every minute of the day. But “quickly checking” your Instagram notifications or scrolling through TikTok can scarily add up to hours of your day gone on social media.
You can combat these distractions by putting your phone on Do Not Disturb, so you won’t receive any pesky notifications while you’re working. Alternatively, you could use apps that block social media while you’re in focus mode. This little change can truly skyrocket your productivity.
Give yourself permission to rest
Rest is just as important as work, especially in creative fields like music. Burnout doesn’t help anyone – not you, not your band, and definitely not your audience. Schedule time off, whether it’s a day to relax or just an hour for a walk or meditation. A well-rested mind is way more creative!
Free time, free distribution, freedom to create
Although you may be super busy, employing time management techniques can actually give you more free time. That’s because, if you’re being smart about how you get tasks done, you’re likely working more efficiently.
To be truly smart with your time, you can use RouteNote to distribute your music for free. More free stuff, yes please. With RouteNote, you can make your songs available in major stores around the globe, without really doing much at all. Once you upload your music, just sit back and let the distribution take place. Just think of all the stuff you could be doing with that free time!
Wrapping up
Time management doesn’t have to feel like a chore. It’s all about giving yourself the freedom to create without the added stress of a chaotic schedule. By organising your time, setting realistic goals, and minimising distractions, you’ll have more space to focus on what truly matters – making incredible music. And with the right tools in place (like free distribution services – hint, hint), you’ll have even more time to share that music with the world.