Discipline is viewed as a burden to some, but to those motivated to move their careers forward it’s a gift. In other words, quitting is easy but sticking to it requires, you guessed it, starts with a “D” and ends with an “E”. Discipline. Just like everything else in life it depends upon your point of view. As most of you know, I subscribe to Chris Brogan‘s newsletter (and borrow from it liberally). In his book The Freaks Shall Inherit The Earth he shares a simple plan to build discipline from which songwriters and artists could benefit.

The Plan

Change Your Program: Chris suggests that starts with your attitude and your language. The small change from “I have to…” to “I get to…” creates the opportunity for massive change. It pays to remember that being a creative is a gift. Treat it that way.

Talk Yourself Into It: When you get a new song idea, write it down and before your next writing session, review and reflect on the idea.  Give it some time to grow. Plan how you are going to approach the idea and then execute.

Eat Lots of Goodness: Fill your head with great thoughts (they DO become things, you know), examples and reinforcements. Listen to music you think is great and make writing songs like that your goal instead of listening to songs that you think suck and complain about them being on the radio. Remember, “garbage in, garbage out.”

Carve Away the Badness: Get rid of distractions and focus on the things that will make you a better songwriter or artist.  Keep this in mind; you either will or you will not be great.  The choice is yours.

Work More The You Celebrate: This is NOT to say do not celebrate the small victories along the way. It just means savor the moment and then get back to work. Discipline is about the work not the accolades.

The Man

I highly recommend you follow Chris Brogan. You can start by reading his book.

Then you may want to sign up for his newsletter, too.  And read his other books.

#TakeTheTwenty

Maybe I’m the guy to be on your team and hold you accountable to being more disciplined and focused.  Maybe not.  But isn’t your career worth at least taking these steps to find out?

1) Follow Chris Brogan’s plan.

2) #TakeTheTwenty This free step will help you and me assess where you are and where you need to go from here.

3) Reach out to me chris@chriskeaton.com  Let’s discuss how I may be able to assist you.

4) Let’s get moving.

 

Photo Credits: Cover, c. 2106 Nightwriterpoet.com; Checklist, c.2017 Tenderfield.com ;Chris Brogan c.2016 chrisbrogan.com