When fishermen can’t go to sea, they mend their nets

This is one of my all-time favorite quotes, as it applies to so many disciplines beyond fishing. Musicians are like fishermen, in that they can’t fish every day. Anyone who even dabbles in the creative arts is aware of the fear of the “blank page”, or confronts inspiration when their tools are broken or not available. There are fishing days and there are days where there’s no point even putting the boat in the water. But that doesn’t mean progress cannot be made on those days when you can’t fish. Time to focus on net mending for a bit.

This quote reaffirms that there’s always something you can be doing, even when it’s not what you may consider to be your main job. There are plenty of tasks related, and essential, to the success of your main job! This quote also serves to keep forward momentum, which in turn can ensure you hit the ground running when creativity (fishing) is once again possible.

But in the mean time, here’s a quick run-down of a list of top ten tips for things to do when the creative juices aren’t flowing.

In no particular order…

•Learn Your Libraries

Go through your sound and preset libraries and find new patches – add the standouts to  your “favorites” list and remember to check there first when looking for a cool new sound in the heat of the creative moment. Often for me, this process alone gets thing flowing again.

•Learn New Tricks

You’ve always wondered how reversed delay effects were created, or what it sounds like  to chain 4 compressors in a row – now’s your chance to find out! Dig around in some tutorials and find all that interest you. Watch some now and save some for the next time you’re not able to “fish”. Browse new plugins or patch libraries and take any interesting candidates for a test drive – see if there’s something this plugin or patch library can do that your existing tools don’t cover. Explore the possibilities!

•Clean Your Room

Cleaning and organizing your workspace is almost ALWAYS a good “step one” when not feeling creative. Clear your workspace, clear your mind. Get it out of the way early, and the rest of your day will improve.

•RTM

Never hurts to read up on the old User Guide – pick a chapter that applies to something you’re currently working on so it’s “relevant” to you (helps with deeper learning IMO). If there are new features recently added, read up on these. Start at the beginning and work your way through over time, making sure to have the app open when possible to work through any examples.

•Tech Work, Trouble Shooting, Repairs

This can include trying new setups or studio layouts to improve workflow. That cable that always gives you trouble? Now would be a good time to repair or replace it. That rattle that bugs you when the 808 kick hits? Find it and make it stop! Those power cords you always trip over? Reroute them or find another place to run them.

•Make New Friends

Sometimes it takes an outside influence to get things going again. Consider a collaboration if you feel stuck creatively. Collaboration, even with other folks who may also feel “stuck”, can help both parties get moving again. Even just learning that you are not alone, or are not 100% responsible for every aspect of the creative process can take enough pressure off to get inspired again.

•Install New Gear/Software/Updates

This is the time to do any/all installs/updates, hardware and/or software. Best not to do this sort of thing “mid-project” anyway, so now is the best time to catch up on these things. They almost always take longer than anticipated, certainly longer than you’d like. Get them out of the way when you have a block of time to devote to these less satisfying tasks.

•Get Out of the House

Take a walk, see a movie, read a book, go dancing, visit friends and family, swing on a swing, go for a  drive, visit a museum, ride a roller-coaster, take pictures, talk to a stranger, take a nap, paint, meditate, ride a train, listen to music (YES it’s obvious, but listening to music can often get you un-stuck). Get inspired! Pay attention to the activities that “feed” your muse, and make sure to do these things on a regular basis. Also pay attention to the things you may resist doing, these may be even more valuable for inspiration – challenge yourself!

•Stop Trying

On those days you can’t fish, don’t go fishing! Sounds obvious, but for many artists,  inspiration comes when they stop trying to force it. It can be on one of these days, maybe whileyou’re mending your nets, that inspiration descends upon you with such great force you are unable to realize what is actually happening. Which leads us to the last tip…

•Be Ready for Anything

While you are mending your nets, be sure to be ready for anything – you never know when a fish may just leap out of the sea and land on your lap. Will you know what to do when that happens? Chances are you will be ready, especially if you follow the tips above.

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