You’ve probably said this before: “I don’t have enough time to write songs.”
But here’s the hard truth—if you’re waiting for big blocks of time to dive into your songwriting, you’ll never get started.
The secret isn’t about finding hours on end to create. It’s about what you can do consistently in just 10 minutes every day.
Let’s break it down.
The Power of 10-Minute Sessions
If you think you need hours to write songs, you're not alone.
Many beginners assume that you have to lock yourself in a room for days to come up with something good. But research shows that shorter, more frequent writing sessions are actually more productive than long, drawn-out ones. Studies suggest that working in focused bursts, like the Pomodoro Technique, enhances concentration by preventing burnout (Buffer). Moreover, shorter, consistent sessions help the brain retain new information better by allowing time for mental rest (TheraHive).
That’s where the 10-minute rule comes in. Instead of waiting for an entire afternoon to be free, try writing for just 10 minutes each day. You’ll build momentum and avoid the frustration that comes from feeling like you don’t have enough time.
Why Short, Consistent Efforts Beat Long Sessions
Here’s the thing—long writing sessions can be draining. When you sit down for hours trying to squeeze creativity out of your brain, you often hit a wall. On the other hand, writing for just 10 minutes keeps your mind fresh, and it allows your creativity to grow slowly but surely.
Think of it like exercise. You don’t run a marathon every time you train. Instead, you build endurance through regular short runs. The same goes for songwriting. Small, consistent efforts help you develop your skills without the pressure of creating something perfect every time.
Studies show that most people can only sustain peak productivity for about 90 minutes at best, and after that, creativity tends to drop (Psychology Today). This means that shorter, regular practice sessions—such as a daily 10-minute songwriting habit—allow for better consistency, retention, and adaptability (TheraHive).
Think of it like exercise. You don’t run a marathon every time you train. Instead, you build endurance through regular short runs. The same goes for songwriting. Small, consistent efforts help you develop your skills without the pressure of creating something perfect every time.
Over time, these daily 10-minute bursts will add up to hours of songwriting practice. Before you know it, you’ll have notebooks full of ideas, lyrics, and melodies that you would never have had if you were waiting for those elusive long blocks of time.
The Science Behind Creative Bursts
Research on productivity consistently finds that short bursts of focused work are more effective than trying to maintain long, uninterrupted periods of creativity (Buffer) (Psychology Today). Techniques like the Pomodoro method show that breaking work into small, timed intervals increases focus and reduces the mental strain associated with marathon sessions. This is because our brains process and reinforce learned information during rest breaks, leading to faster skill improvement (TheraHive).
With songwriting, 10 minutes is all you need to start seeing real results. When you set a timer for 10 minutes, you’re giving yourself a deadline. This pushes you to focus, and you won’t waste time second-guessing your ideas or getting distracted. You’ll train your brain to produce quality ideas faster, which is a skill every songwriter needs.
The bottom line? Working in short sessions not only fits into your busy life, but it also makes your creativity sharper and more effective.
The 7-Day Mini-Writing Challenge
Ready to give the 10-minute rule a try? Here’s a 7-day mini-writing challenge based on the 7-step Speed Songwriting System by Graham English. Each day, you’ll focus on a specific part of songwriting, so by the end of the week, you’ll have the rough draft of a song ready.
Day 1: Brainstorm Song Ideas (10 minutes)
Spend 10 minutes brainstorming. Write down random thoughts, feelings, experiences, or situations. It doesn’t matter if they’re good or bad ideas—just get them down on paper. Try to fill a full page, and don’t worry about rhyming or structure. Think of this like sketching for a painter. No pressure, just possibilities.
I give several dependable methods for brainstorming song ideas in my songwriting courses.
Day 2: Choose a Theme (10 minutes)
Review what you wrote yesterday. Circle or highlight the ideas that stand out to you the most. Now, pick one theme or concept that feels the most interesting. Whether it’s heartbreak, a road trip, or a summer romance, focus on fleshing out that single idea.
Day 3: Write a Chorus (10 minutes)
Now that you have a theme, spend 10 minutes crafting a chorus. Start with a strong hook—a line that captures the heart of your song. Keep it simple and repeatable.
Remember, choruses are usually the part of the song people remember, so aim for something catchy and easy to sing along with.
Day 4: Write a Verse (10 minutes)
Today, focus on writing the first verse. Your verse should tell the story leading up to your chorus. Paint a picture with specific details—don’t just say “I was sad”; describe why you were sad.
For example, "I waited at the café, your chair stayed empty / Coffee cold, your words still haunt me."
Day 5: Refine Your Chorus (10 minutes)
Now that you’ve got a verse and a chorus, revisit your chorus. Does it still work with the verse? Is there a stronger way to express your hook? Use this session to tweak and polish your chorus until it feels solid.
Day 6: Write a Second Verse or Bridge (10 minutes)
Today, focus on either writing a second verse or a bridge. The second verse can continue the story, while the bridge should add a new perspective or twist. Use this time to build on the emotional journey you’ve started.
Day 7: Edit and Refine (10 minutes)
You’ve made it through the week! Now it’s time to review everything you’ve written. Spend 10 minutes refining the rough edges. Maybe swap out a line in your verse or adjust the melody of your chorus.
Don’t aim for perfection, but do aim for clarity.
Turning 10 Minutes Into a Long-Term Habit
After this 7-day challenge, you’ll realize that 10 minutes a day isn’t just possible—it’s powerful. Now the real key is keeping it going. The more consistent you are, the more songs you’ll write, and the better those songs will be.
You don’t have to stick to the same structure every week. Maybe one week you’ll focus only on lyrics, another on melody, and another on learning chords.
The important thing is to keep that daily 10-minute habit alive. Even on days when you feel uninspired, sitting down for just 10 minutes will help keep your songwriting muscles strong.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about songwriting but feel like you don’t have time, it’s time to flip the script. 10 minutes is all you need to get started, and once you build this habit, the results will speak for themselves.
You don’t need more time. You just need a small, focused, daily effort.
So, what are you waiting for? Set your timer for 10 minutes and dive in.
Enter your first name and email address below and click “GET ACCESS NOW!” to get the Speed Songwriting Cheat Sheet delivered to your inbox!
We guarantee 100% privacy. Your information will not be shared.
Leave a Reply