Hey a,
"I don't have enough time to make music."
I hear this from producers in my audience every single week.
And honestly? I get it.
You're juggling work, maybe family, maybe school. Life feels like you're constantly behind on everything.
But here's where it gets interesting...
We tell ourselves this beautiful lie:
"Once this project is done, I'll have more time for music."
Or: "After I finish this semester, I'll produce every day."
Guess what happens next? Life gets in the way again.
Another project. Another deadline. Another excuse.
Here's the good news:
You don't have to be a victim of circumstances.
In fact, you can take ownership of this issue even if big chunks of time are outside of your control.
Here are five strategies I see working for countless artists in our coaching program:
Strategy 1: Time blocking (but make it realistic)
Blocking dedicated music production slots in your calendar is great.
The problem is, you’re most likely planning for a “best case” scenario, which isn’t realistic.
For example, don't schedule 4-hour production sessions on weekends if you know your kids will interrupt you every 20 minutes.
Instead, block out 30-45 minute slots during times when you're actually available. Maybe it's early morning before work.
Maybe it's during lunch break.
The key is consistency over duration. A 30-minute session every day beats a 6-hour session once a month.
Strategy 2: Embrace the "micro session" mindset
Talking about shorter sessions, there’s something I call the “micro session” mindset.
I’m not even talking about 30 minutes. You can get meaningful work done in 15-20 minutes:
- Create a short groove you can use later
- Layer in one new element that’s missing from an almost-finished idea
- Add new favorites to your sample library
Stop waiting for the "perfect" long session. Some of my best ideas have come from 15-minute bursts of focused work.
Strategy 3: Create more than you consume
How much time do you spend watching music production tutorials versus actually producing?
If you're spending more time learning than doing, you're procrastinating.
This is especially true for busy artists whose time with music is a scarce resource.
I recommend spending three times as much time creating as consuming.
Strategy 4: Embrace your time constraints
I love this mental model.
Instead of constantly complaining about your limited time, try to reframe it as a fuel for creativity.
Limited time forces you to make faster decisions. This is good for your output.
When you only have 30 minutes, you can't spend 25 of them tweaking the same hi-hat. You have to trust your instincts and move forward.
Some of our coaching students have become more productive since taking on a new job or having kids, because they learned to work effectively and efficiently.
Strategy 5: Optimize your creative process for quick starts
If it takes you 15 minutes to set up your session, you're killing your motivation before you even start.
Having a reliable, repeatable system for finishing music is a non-negotiable.
This includes having a template with clear routing and color-coding, organizing your library for quick access, and using repeatable frameworks for producing and mixing music.
Contrary to what you might think, this isn’t limiting your creativity.
It’s facilitating it by replacing overwhelm with playfulness.
The uncomfortable truth
Most producers who say they "don't have time" actually have time. They just haven’t been resourceful with it.
I'm not judging anyone for doomscrolling or watching their favorite show – we all need downtime.
But if music really matters to you, you'll make time for it. Even if it's just 20 minutes before going to work or going to bed.
Your music matters. Let's make it count.
Philip
PS: Want accountability and structure to make the most of your limited time? Our coaching program is designed around busy schedules – many of our members have a crazy busy work life and/ or family life. Book your free discovery call here to find out if this is right for you.
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