The Power of Action: Overcoming Writer’s Block through Persistence

Part 5 of 5 of our series on “Overcoming Writer’s Block as a Musician”

Songwriting
Fun Songwriting
4 min readJul 4, 2023

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As a musician, you know that feeling of staring at a blank page or screen, desperately searching for the perfect melody or lyric. Writer’s block can be frustrating and discouraging, and it’s easy to lose motivation and give up on your music altogether. But like any creative pursuit, persistence is key. By taking action and committing to regular practices, you can break through the barriers holding you back and find yourself making music you never thought possible. This is part 5 of our 5 part series on writers block for musicians.

Why Persistence Matters

When faced with writer’s block, the temptation is to give up or wait for inspiration to strike. But the truth is that inspiration is often a result of perspiration. By putting in the work, even when it’s difficult, you’re training your mind to think creatively and stay focused on your goals. The more you persist, the more likely you are to break through the blocks and find new ideas for your music.

Another reason persistence matters is that it helps you build momentum. Starting a new project or idea can feel overwhelming at first, but by committing to regular actions, you’ll establish a rhythm and begin to see progress. This can be a powerful motivator and help you stay on track even when the going gets tough.

How to Take Action

The key to overcoming writer’s block is to take action, but that can be easier said than done. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Make a Plan

Start by setting a specific goal and creating a plan to achieve it. For example, you might want to write a new song in a specific genre or with a certain theme. Break that goal down into smaller steps, such as brainstorming ideas, writing a rough draft, and refining the melody. By breaking the project down into manageable steps, you’ll have a clear roadmap to follow and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Commit to Regular Actions

Once you’ve created a plan, commit to taking regular actions to achieve your goal. This might mean setting aside a specific time each day to work on your music, or creating a schedule that breaks down each step of the project into daily or weekly tasks. Use Cosonify’s taskboard to track your progress and stay accountable to yourself.

Keep a Writing Routine

Developing a writing routine can help you train your mind to be creative and stay focused. This might mean sitting down at the same time every day to work on your music, or setting aside a specific amount of time each week to dedicate to songwriting. Stick to your routine even when you’re not feeling inspired, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly your creativity can blossom.

Collaborate with Others

Working with others can be a powerful way to break through writer’s block and find new ideas. Whenever it gets hard for you to continue, your peers can help you stay on track, motivate you or simply offer you a fresh cup of coffee. Whether you’re sharing ideas, getting feedback, or just jamming with other musicians, collaboration can help you find new perspectives and inspiration.

The Benefits of Persistence

By persisting and taking small actions every day, you’ll start to see a range of benefits:

  • Improved skill: Like any skill, songwriting takes practice. By committing to regular actions, you’ll build your skills and become a better musician over time.
  • Expanded creativity: Regular creativity exercises can help you expand your creativity and find new ideas for your music.
  • Greater motivation: Building momentum and seeing progress can be a powerful motivator to keep going, even when the going gets tough.
  • Increased confidence: Seeing your hard work pay off can give you a sense of accomplishment and boost your confidence as a musician.

Conclusion

Writer’s block is a common challenge for musicians, but it’s important to remember that persistence is key. By making a plan, committing to regular actions, and collaborating with others, you can break through the barriers holding you back and find yourself making music you never thought possible. With persistence and dedication, you can overcome writer’s block and achieve your musical goals.

Read Also

This has been Part 5 of 5 of our series on “Overcoming Writer’s Block as a Musician”. The series consists of these articles:

  1. Part 1: 5 Techniques for Overcoming Writer’s Block in Music Composition
  2. Part 2: Using Lyrics and Poetry to Overcome Writer’s Block in Music
  3. Part 3: Meditation and Mindfulness: Unlocking Your Creativity as a Musician
  4. Part 4: Collaboration and Community: Breaking Through Writer’s Block Together
  5. Part 5: The Power of Action: Overcoming Writer’s Block through Persistence

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Songwriting
Fun Songwriting

Regular articles about techniques for songwriters. Associated with the Cosonify Team.