Read time: ~ 4 min. 30 sec. of your LIFE
[Issue #20240328]
I realize it takes me much longer to finish tasks than the time I allot for them.
Especially the projects that are "worth it".
The ones that set your soul on fire.
The ones that require deep work.
For me, that's composing.
Over the past few days, I made a push to finish up a long-overdue clarinet sonata (personal project).
I had about 2/3 left to go in the third movement + polishing the score up and such.
I thought it'd take a day or two.
Three days later, I've only now finished the composition, and I still have to bring the score from a rough draft to a finalized one.
The point is, while we typically take longer on projects than necessary, we also tend to underestimate the amount of time projects will take.
Reader, let's get into it.
True self-care starts here:
3 SELF-MASTERY/CREATIVITY TIPS
I. Planning Fallacy
You guessed it:
The planning fallacy is when we underestimate how long something will take.
It could be the completion of a project or simply telling someone you'll be there in "15 minutes" (we've all heard that one before).
But you won't be there in 15.
You won't finish that composition in a day.
Lies.
All of them.
The solution?
Be realistic.
Add some buffer time.
If not, you'll only piss yourself off when you don't meet your goal.
This is a delicate dance, however.
Being realistic doesn't mean adding too much buffer time.
I don't think you need to "double" your timeframe for everything, for example.
You simply need to know how long it typically takes you to do things.
I say "simply," but this will take trial, error, and tracking.
And don't make a short timeframe because you want to be faster when you know you won't get it done that fast.
It's not a matter of "want."
If your process is still the same, the speed at which you'll complete the project will be the same.
You also have to look at what else is on your plate as that'll affect your time as well.
AUDIT WHAT YOU DO.
And if you want to be faster, scrutinize your process to see where you're wasting an unnecessary amount of time.
- Are you taking on too much?
- Are you using a system, templates, or keyboard shortcuts?
Don't ignore the things that can speed up your workflow.
But even after all of this, we tend to give ourselves too much grace...
II. Parkinson's Law
Think it'll take two weeks?
Then it'll take two weeks.
Think it'll take two months?
Then it'll take two months.
That's Parkinson's Law for ya:
Work expands to fill the time allotted for it.
My wife and I planned a wedding in a month.
We had help, of course.
But even without help, we would've been faster than the average 6 to 12-month timeframe.
Admittedly, when people plan weddings for a year out, I think:
You know you could do it in a quarter of the time, right?
Now, I know things like finances and work and life in general affect these decisions, but you get my point (hopefully).
Because of how quickly my wife and I planned our wedding (and tackled other big projects), my eyes have since been opened to just how unnecessarily long we make things.
This is the "delicate dance."
As I said earlier, you don't want to add too much buffer time.
You want to be realistic, but not wasteful.
Adding another month when all you may need is another week robs three weeks from you that you could've spent working on what's next.
Understand?
Don't waste your life doubling every timeframe.
The solution?
Deadlines.
If Parkinson's Law states that work expands to fill the time we allot for it, then it's obvious what we have to do:
Allot less time.
Set a hard deadline.
Cut that timeframe in half.
Or by a quarter.
If I'm composing a 2-3 minute piece of music for two instruments (foreshadowing), then it could probably take two months.
If I say it will.
Technically, if I really pushed, it could be done in a week.
(Hell, film composers have worked on shorter deadlines).
Realistically, I'd give myself a month or maybe even just three weeks.
Three weeks is good as it'll push me not to waste time but still give me enough time in case things take longer than expected.
Set a good deadline, and make that deadline.
And even if you don't make that deadline, I bet you'd be much closer to completion than your initial timeframe.
Don't overestimate how quickly you can get things done without sacrificing the quality.
III. Anything worthwhile takes a while...
Now, let's talk about the grand scheme of things.
Forget the projects and daily tasks.
Let's talk about your dreams, Reader.
We're Imaginators after all, so we gotta talk about it!
I don’t know who needs to hear this:
Some of you are getting discouraged about the length of time it’ll take.
About having to “pay your dues.”
Maybe you’ve ignored this.
But that only stalls the process.
Here’s what has helped me when I’m feeling impatient:
“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” —
Earl Nightingale
So we might as well DO something with that time.
Rather than sulk in our misery.
I often think about how opportunities have come to me early on in my music composing career.
Then I realized:
This isn’t “early.”
If anything, it’s long overdue.
I’ve been playing music since six years old and improvising pieces on piano since 11.
I wasn’t even a prodigy or anything.
I played in band during grade school and high school like everyone else.
I went on to get two degrees in music performance.
I’ve been practicing, playing, and performing music for a LONG time.
By the time I started translating the ideas in my head to the blank staff paper, I had a wealth of experience and knowledge and practice that put me several steps ahead of starting completely fresh as a composer.
And my first works were STILL trash.
Nor am I where I want to be.
I’m still chasing BIG dreams, Reader.
And I’m willing to wait for them.
But do something while I wait…
I say all of this to say:
You’ll figure it out.
It takes time.
It’s a game of keeping at it.
It’s a game of outlasting.
It’s a game of PRESSING ON.
Showing your dreams you won’t budge.
So don’t.
Pursuing anything worthwhile will take…a while.
But remember, it doesn't need to take as long as you'd think, either:
“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” ―
Bill Gates
I’ll be here cheering you on, Imaginator.
TRUE SELF-CARE STARTS HERE.
MY CREATIVE CORNER
~ 1 min. read
BIG NEWS:
I still have yet to make an official announcement on all socials, but you may have heard about my latest commission:
If you can recall my
cryptic newsletter several weeks ago about a commission opportunity, this is it!
I'll be composing a short, 2-3 min encore-type work for Soprano Saxophone & piano for the Timothy McAllister, a JUGGERNAUT in the Classical Saxophone realm.
I'm talking about Grammy-winning, world-renowned Soprano the saxophone chair of the PRISM quartet, and the professor of saxophone at the University of Michigan School of Music. And the bio does NOT stop there...
The best part? My piece will be a part of his upcoming
Project Encores Vol. 2 album (you can view the first project
here), which will feature new works from renowned composers I admire such as Jennifer Higdon, Cathy Likhuta, Wynton Marsalis, and more!!
To say I'm excited is an understatement. I'm GEEKED. This is my biggest commission yet. Onward and upward!!
The Instagram announcement can be found here:
POST OF THE WEEK:
BIG NEWS:
Have you seen Dune 2 yet? If not, what the hell are you doing???
Hands-down in my top 5 movies of all time:
The story, the emotion, the cinematography, the sound design, and, of course: the music.
Damn, this goat knows how to score a film.
The Dune franchise is some of Hans Zimmer's best work in my opinion.
I am so ridiculously excited that
Hans Zimmer Live is coming back to North America (Chicago @ United Center on September 22nd). I saw him six years ago and it
changed my life. It was definitely the moment that solidified my dream to become a film composer.
I didn't want to be, as I don't need another platform to worry about, but several people whose advice I respect told me I should.
Truth is, it's a great place for what I'm trying to do as I build a personal brand with my music.
I don't have any videos uploaded yet, but I hope to soon, and it'll be largely about my composing process and such.
Hopefully, it'll be entertaining as well! Would love to see you all over there :)
Let's connect on socials:
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The Creator's Handbook to Fulfillment: 34 Principles to Help You Design the Life of Your Dreams
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