I'm excited to share with you my 3rd read in my 2024 Book Challenge: "Feel Good Productivity" by Ali Abdaal!
For those who have been following along, or if you're just tuning in and want to join in on the journey, you can check out the ongoing list of books I've been exploring here.
Ali Abdaal has been a massive source of inspiration for more recently. His approach to education and sharing knowledge on productivity, prioritizing feeling good over the traditional hustle and grind culture, really resonates with me!
To be honest, I actually listened to the audiobook version the very first day it released back in December, but I liked it so much that I wanted to go back to truly soak in all the tips and lessons...so I reread the physical copy this week! 😂
As always, I'll be sharing my top three takeaways from the book, specifically tailored for us, composers and creators in the music world. So, let's dive in!
⚡️ Energize: Embrace a Sense of Play in Your Music
Find joy in your creative process. Ask, "What can I do to make my writing process more fun?" Such a simple question can lead you to tactics that make experimentation and exploration a touch more enjoyable!
Boost your confidence with the Confidence Switch. Believe in your abilities as a composer, as a collaborator, as a communicator! The idea is to act as if you’re confident, even if you don't always feel it. By playing the role of a confident person, you'll actually find yourself more confident!
Adopt the Shoshin Approach: Approach every composition with a fresh perspective and openness, like a beginner, full of curiosity and eagerness to learn!
🧠 Unblock: Navigate Through Creative Blocks
Use The Five Whys to dig deep into any creative blockages! When you come across any problem, ask yourself why it happened? Then when you come up with an answer, ask yourself why again... then again... and again... and one more time. Understanding the root cause can help you clarify your purpose and reignite your motivation!
The next time you feel yourself blocked or find yourself procrastinating, try defining your next action step. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the whole picture, stick to the basics. What's the very next step that will get you closer to your long-term goal?
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The Batman Effect is a personal favorite tactic to get through creative blocks! What if you took on the confident traits of your own heroes? (Like Batman 😁) How would your favorite composer or artist respond to a specific situation?
⏳ Sustain: Longevity in Your Musical Career
The Power of No is a huge approach that I can guarantee would be useful for every single musician! For every project that we say yes to, we say no to countless other opportunities. Sure, we want to say yes to work but if you want to sustain your productivity in your career, then you want to work on the projects that align with you and your long-term goals!
Regularly assess your alignment with the Wheel of Life. This technique breaks down the most important aspects of your life into 3 major categories: Health, Work, and Relationships! You'll want to rate yourself in these areas to get a clearer vision of the balance in your life.
Finally, embrace the Reitoff Principle...(write off) This one's extremely simple- allow yourself days off! Sometimes stepping back is the best way to recharge and sustain creativity in the long run. We all deserve a break every now and then!
Don't forget to check out my 2024 Book Challenge for more great reads like this. I'm hoping this could be a great way to discover new perspectives and ideas that can enhance your personal and professional life!