Black Friday Reflections

I’ve acquired numerous items during Black Friday that ended up gathering dust. For instance, last year, I purchased the software plug-in Superior Drummer with the intention of crafting demos in my home studio. However, I quickly realized that I enjoy collaborating with live drummers much more.

This week, I arranged studio time to record drums and bass with talented musicians. I'd rather work alongside those who inspire me and achieve results I couldn't accomplish alone.

So, was investing in Superior Drummer a mistake? Not at all. I've already utilized it to mix a student’s drum track, which justified the expense. It has also sparked several creative ideas, so it hasn’t gone to waste. However, my original purpose didn't align perfectly with its actual use, and that's perfectly acceptable.

The Dopamine Dilemma

Purchasing something triggers a dopamine response because it aligns with your creative aspirations. Our biology can deceive us into feeling accomplished simply by acquiring new tools, even though actual creation is what truly matters.

In a way, those Black Friday purchases did bring you closer to your goals, but only if you actively engage with them.

Will you find satisfaction in the fleeting thrill of acquiring another gadget, or will you push yourself to create something meaningful with it?

The Mischief of Procrastination

Imagine your mind as Loki, the trickster god, always seeking shortcuts and easy outs. He revels in the thrill of shopping without the effort of creation. Unfortunately, in the real world, you must present your work to make a significant impact.

No awards are given for "Best Equipped Home Studio," nor do you earn respect for having "Most Hard Drives Full of Unfinished Songs." What truly matters is your output.

How Do You Assess Your Creative Output?

For me, writing is my primary creative outlet, and I evaluate my success based on word count. If I'm not writing, I'm not truly creating.

You wouldn't believe the amount of unpublished material cluttering my hard drive, but it’s the pieces that see the light of day that truly count. People are indifferent to the works that remain hidden; respect is earned through public release.

The reason you're reading this is that I chose to share my work. My students achieve results not from the countless unfinished articles, books, and ideas on my computer but from the content I’ve published, like Step By Step Mixing and my other six books.

To make an impact, you need to put your work out into the world. Unreleased projects hold no value.

Choosing to Produce

You can't purchase creative output; you must earn it through effort. While tools and education can facilitate your learning and invigorate your passion, they’re useless if you don't apply what you've learned in your creative endeavors.

Ultimately, if you fail to use your resources to create, all you've done is spend money without gaining anything in return.

Hope this insight proves helpful,

Björgvin

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