When's the last time you thought about that word: "imagination"?
For me, it had been years.
Ironic, I know - a composer forgetting how to tap into his imagination. But I think there's something deeper happening here, because many artists I talk to these days are experiencing the same thing:
Artists are forgetting how to use their imagination.
(This has become apparent to me as I've gone deeper into writing my upcoming album.)
Why is this happening?
The first culprit is this unhealthy obsession our culture has with staying "productive". I keep hearing this idea from my Bootcamp and Pro Group students that if we don't walk away with "measurable progress" every single time we sit down to make something, then it's all been a "big waste of time."
It's heartbreaking for me to see so many composers putting this impossible pressure on themselves.
- Art should never feel like a waste of time.
- Slowing down and exercising intention should be celebrated.
- And nobody should feel like they're constantly behind - no matter what age or skill level they're at.
When you refuse to slow down as an artist, you stop giving yourself space to experiment, and start trying to squeeze art out of you as quickly as possible.
(What a terrible environment for good or enjoyable art to occur.)
Sure, if you're a full-time composer with tight deadlines, you need the ability to show up and make something quick. But that's a skill to hone when the time comes, and most composers suffering from this aren't at that point yet.
This high-speed pressure is completely self-imposed.
So what's the alternative?
If you remember my typewriter story several weeks back, I suggested:
"Instead of trying to squeeze art out of yourself... cultivate space for art to reveal itself to you."
The key idea here is to create empty space.
Our imagination doesn't grow unless we give it room to grow.
But to do that, we've got to overcome the many obstacles that sap up our time - the dopamine-filled digital tools and toys at our disposal 24/7, ready to soothe our boredom, anxiety, and depression with just a tap of our finger.
(Make Time authors Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky refer to these endless distraction sources as "infinity pools".)
Creating empty space in the modern era is a proactive responsbility - something you do with intention instead of waiting for it to appear.
Because if you don't, you'll drown your imagination with noise. You'll crush it under the weight of your busyness. And as an artist, that should scare the sh*t out of you.
So...
If you're imagination is dying, here's how to revive it.
The key to combating the "busy bandwagon" is to find something that feels like the exact opposite: unproductive or time-wasting.
Ask yourself:
"What's something I've thought about doing, but constantly avoided because I've felt like it'd be a waste of time?"
For me, those things included:
- 📚 Reading fiction instead of business/self-help books
- 🚶♂️ Walking to local places instead of driving
- 💬 Scheduling calls instead of email exchanges
- 🧼 1-hour baths and at-home spa nights
- 🐟 Watching my fish Grimm swim around his tank
- 🏠 Decorating my studio
The power in this question lies in the fact that these activites will likely not have a quick hit of dopamine. They're rooted in self-care, curiosity, and presence that only comes when you slow down and appreciate what's going on in the moment.
These are the activites that refueled my imagination.
Now, instead of trying to write my next "masterpiece" or compose as quickly as possible...
... I'm just having fun composing for made-up characters doing made-up things for made-up reasons inside my made-up world.
And I LOVE it.
👋 Ready for more?
When you're ready, here's 4 ways I can help:
- 🎥 My YouTube. Watch 350+ videos including music tutorials, career tips, and more.
- 🗞️ The Newsletter Archive. Read articles from previous weeks of this newsletter.
- 🎬 Composing Career Bootcamp. Join my 6-week cohort-based course to learn how to land paid composing work from anywhere in the world. (100+ students, 5 stars)
- 🚀 Work Directly with Me. I run a private mentorship program for composers interested in working directly with me to help them achieve their goals. (Limited spots)
That's all for now!
Leave a reply to share your thoughts, questions, or just to say hi.
(I love hearing from my readers. 🙂)
Otherwise, happy music-making and I'll see you next time!
- Zach
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