Songwriting can be an exhilarating process when everything clicks into place, but more often than not, it’s easy to get bogged down in time-wasting habits that stall your progress.
Whether it’s overthinking a lyric or drowning in self-doubt, these habits can keep you from finishing your song—or, even worse, stop you from starting one altogether.
Let’s break down the three biggest time-wasters in songwriting and, more importantly, how to cut them out of your process so you can move faster and write better.
1. Overthinking the Lyrics
Overthinking is the silent killer of creativity. You start with a simple idea, and before you know it, you’re stuck rewriting the same line over and over, chasing some idea of “perfection.” The result? You waste hours obsessing over tiny details, and the song stays unfinished.
Here’s the thing: lyrics don’t have to be perfect on the first try. In fact, they shouldn’t be. The key to breaking free from this trap is to write fast and edit later. The first draft of a lyric is about capturing raw emotion and ideas—don’t censor yourself.
Here’s what to do next:
- Set a timer for 15 minutes. During that time, write without stopping or editing. Even if the lines feel awkward or forced, get them down.
- Focus on actionable, vivid language. Instead of vague phrases like “I feel sad,” write something like, “The rain thudded against the window as I stood alone in the empty room.”
- Once your time is up, move on. Don’t edit immediately—give yourself some space to return later with fresh eyes.
By forcing yourself to write fast, you stop overthinking and allow your creativity to flow. You can always refine it later, but you can’t edit what doesn’t exist.
2. Chasing Inspiration Instead of Creating It
How often have you waited for the “perfect” moment to write? You know, when inspiration magically hits you like a lightning bolt? The problem with this approach is that you’re relying on something you can’t control. Inspiration is a myth. It’s not something you find; it’s something you create.
To avoid wasting time waiting for the muse, you need to build a habit of songwriting, even when you don’t feel inspired.
Here’s how to start:
- Set a daily songwriting time—even if it’s just 20 minutes. Show up whether you feel inspired or not.
- Use prompts to get started. For example, grab a random word from a dictionary or think of an object in your room and challenge yourself to write a song around it. You’d be surprised how often structure unlocks creativity.
- Set a minimum goal of writing one complete song per week. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, but completing a song will give you momentum. Over time, the more you write, the more ideas will naturally come to you.
When you write songs consistently, you’ll find that the muse shows up more often. Stop waiting for inspiration to strike. Sit down and make it happen.
3. Trying to Do Everything at Once
Many songwriters get stuck because they try to nail every part of the song at once—lyrics, melody, chords, groove. It’s like trying to juggle five balls when you’ve never practiced with one. The result? You spend hours jumping between ideas without making any real progress.
Instead, focus on one aspect of the song at a time. Songwriting is a layered process. Break it down into manageable steps, and don’t move on until you’ve tackled each one.
Here’s how to avoid this trap:
- Start with a title or theme. Lock down what your song is about. If you don’t know, use a brainstorming method like the Lyric Triad or word association to come up with a song title that excites you.
- Work on the groove or melody next. Play with simple chord progressions or beats that match the mood of the title. Don’t worry about the lyrics yet.
- After you’ve got a solid feel for the song’s structure, start writing the lyrics. Separating the process into layers removes the pressure of trying to perfect everything at once.
This method is especially useful when you feel stuck because it removes the overwhelm. The goal isn’t to write the whole song in one sitting but to chip away at it piece by piece. Before you know it, the song is done.
Wrapping It All Up
Songwriting doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process. Most of the time, we get in our own way by overthinking, waiting for inspiration, or trying to do too much at once. But it doesn’t have to be this way. The key is to simplify your process and stay consistent.
Avoid overthinking by writing fast, focusing on raw ideas, and editing later. Stop chasing inspiration by showing up daily, using prompts, and setting achievable goals. And finally, focus on one thing at a time by breaking down your song into layers and attacking each part separately.
By cutting out these three time-wasters, you’ll not only write faster but also improve the quality of your songs. It’s all about getting out of your head and letting the music come through. So, the next time you sit down to write, remember: write fast, show up, and keep it simple. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish.
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