Is Perfectionism Ruining Your Songwriting? 4 Signs You Need to Speed Up

Perfectionism might sound like a good thing—who doesn’t want their work to be flawless?

But when it comes to songwriting, perfectionism can be the silent killer of productivity, creativity, and progress.

If you’ve ever stared at a half-written lyric for hours or trashed an idea because it wasn’t “perfect,” you might be stuck in the perfectionism trap. The good news? Speeding up your process can set you free.

Here are four tell-tale signs that perfectionism is sabotaging your songwriting and what to do about it.

1. You Have Dozens of Unfinished Songs

Do you have a graveyard of half-written lyrics, melodies, or hooks that never see the light of day? If so, perfectionism might be the culprit.

The perfectionist in you loves to edit, revise, and nitpick—so much so that nothing ever feels “done.” But songwriting is about completing the journey, not circling the first verse forever.

Here’s what to do next: Set a timer. Give yourself 30 minutes to write a full draft of a song. Start with a title, build a simple structure (verse, chorus, verse, chorus), and stick to it. The goal isn’t brilliance—it’s completion. Think of it like a rough sketch: messy, quick, but full of potential.

For example, write something like:
Title: “No Smoking”
Verse: “Came home every night reeking of smoke, my clothes a reminder of where I’d been.”
Chorus: “There’s no smoking here, no smoke in my lungs, no flames in my heart.”

It might not win a Grammy yet, but it’s a finished idea—and finishing is the antidote to perfectionism.

2. You’re Obsessing Over Details Too Soon

Have you ever rewritten a single line 10 times before moving on to the next?

That’s like trying to polish a single brick before building the house. It doesn’t work—and it’s exhausting.

Songwriting is a layered process. First, you capture raw ideas. Later, you refine. Perfectionists flip this upside-down, obsessing over details when they should let the creative flow take over.

Here’s how to fix it: Divide your process into two stages. In stage one, draft quickly—ugly and unfiltered. Set a timer for 15 minutes and write nonstop. In stage two, return to refine. Tweak that line or tighten that rhyme, but only after the draft is done.

For example: Start with a placeholder lyric. Instead of searching for the perfect metaphor, write, “Her love hit me like a truck.” It’s clunky, sure, but you can smooth it out later. For now, it keeps your momentum alive.

3. You Wait for Inspiration to Strike

“I’ll write when I feel inspired.” Sound familiar?

The truth is, waiting for inspiration is just another form of procrastination—and a hallmark of perfectionism. If everything has to feel magical to start, you’ll never get anywhere.

Professional songwriters don’t wait for lightning to strike—they create it. They show up, write every day, and trust that inspiration will meet them halfway.

Here are three steps to stop waiting and start writing:

1. Pick a prompt: Use a random word generator, a book, or even your surroundings for inspiration.
2. Set a quota: Write one title, one verse, and one chorus every day, no matter what.
3. Embrace imperfection: Treat these daily exercises as experiments. Some will work; some won’t—and that’s okay.

For example, grab a word like “desert” and build a lyric:
“Lost in the desert, sand in my shoes, chasing a mirage that looks like you.”

Not your magnum opus? No problem. You’re building your creative muscle, and that’s more important than perfection.

4. You’re Overthinking Every Decision

Should the chorus come in earlier? Is this metaphor too cliché? Maybe I should try a different tempo?

Sound familiar? Perfectionism thrives on overthinking, turning every choice into a high-stakes dilemma.

But songwriting is about making decisions, not agonizing over them. The more decisions you make, the faster you’ll learn what works—and the better your songs will become.

Here’s a simple framework to stop overthinking:

• Ask, “What’s my goal?” (e.g., Do I want an emotional ballad or a danceable anthem?)
• Choose the first option that fits.
• Test it. If it works, great. If not, adjust and move on.

For example, let’s say you’re stuck on the tempo. Instead of endlessly debating, decide: 90 BPM feels right. Play it through. If it feels off, bump it to 100 BPM. This iterative process keeps you moving forward without the mental gridlock.

Why Speeding Up Works

Speeding up your songwriting process isn’t about sacrificing quality—it’s about bypassing the perfectionist voice in your head. When you work quickly, you prioritize momentum over self-doubt. You give yourself permission to try, fail, and improve.

Think of it like this: If you write 10 songs quickly, at least two will have real potential. But if you spend the same time perfecting a single song, you’re left with one idea that might still be unfinished.

Your Next Steps

Want to break free from perfectionism? Here’s your challenge:

1. Write a Full Song Draft Today – Use a timer, pick a title, and let it flow. Don’t stop to edit.
2. Create a Daily Songwriting Habit – Write one new idea every day, even if it’s just a lyric or melody.
3. Embrace Imperfection – Remember, rough drafts are where great songs begin.

Perfectionism doesn’t write songs—action does. So, speed up, let go, and watch your creativity take flight.

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