🎶 Hello Composers (or Procrastinators—No Judgement!) 🎶

Welcome back to The Media Composer Vault! Your trusty guide for navigating the chaos, creativity, and challenges of being a media composer in today’s whirlwind of an industry.

This week, we’re taking a detour from the purely musical to talk about something we all face: procrastination. Yep, that sneaky little beast that always seems to pop up right when deadlines are looming or inspiration is fleeting.

Here’s the thing—even the most successful people battle it (yes, I’m looking at you, procrastinating geniuses out there). And spoiler alert: I’m no exception. Recently, I had my own run-in with procrastination, and I want to share how I managed to wrestle it into submission and get back on track.

Why does this matter? Because beating procrastination isn’t just about ticking off your to-do list—it’s about unlocking more creativity and more productivity in your music career. And who doesn’t want that?

So, let’s dive in, learn a few tricks, and crack open the Vault to keep moving forward! 🎵

MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE BIGGEST FROG…

Let me tell you about a recent adventure—one I didn’t want to go on. You see, I had a task. Not just any task, but the Mount Everest of my to-do list. It was research-heavy, time-consuming, and, frankly, intimidating. So naturally, I did what anyone would do: avoided it like a cat avoids a bath.

Procrastination became my best friend. “I’ll get to it,” I told myself, while cheerfully tackling the smaller, easier tasks. (Spoiler: I wasn’t getting to it.)

Ever heard the saying, “If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first”. Essentially, “If you have to eat two frogs, eat the largest one first”. It’s a fancy way of saying: tackle your hardest task first.

I recently gave this a shot. I stopped procrastinating and faced the dreaded “big frog” on my to-do list. Here’s what happened:

1️⃣ It wasn’t as bad as I thought. I’d built it up into this impossible beast, but once I started, it was totally manageable.

2️⃣ Confidence boost unlocked! Crushing the hardest task gave me a surge of energy to breeze through the rest. It was like levelling up in real life.

Lesson learned: the monster (or frog) is only as scary as you make it. So, next time, take a deep breath, dive in, and discover just how much you can accomplish.

SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE

Let me let you in on a little secret: my “giant task” was… writing this newsletter. Surprised? Me too.

Normally, my thoughts flow naturally onto the page, but this time, I needed to do research—something new for me. The extra effort felt overwhelming, especially with a packed schedule. At first, it seemed like too much work for too little reward.

But then, I had an aha moment: I shifted my perspective. Instead of fixating on the effort, I focused on the impact. If this extra work helped even one person on their journey, wouldn’t it be worth it?

And guess what? That mindset changed everything. The “boring” work turned into something meaningful. Not only did I gain valuable knowledge to share with you, but I also felt a sense of joy knowing I was creating something that could make a difference.

Yes, I lost some sleep and free time, but I gained something far greater: motivation, fulfillment, and the drive to do more.

Next time you’re staring down a task that feels too big or too tedious, try shifting your perspective. Instead of focusing on the work, think about the positive change it could create. You might just find joy in the process.

Keep pushing forward—you’ve got this!

The Secret to Crushing Hard Tasks

Here’s the takeaway: do the hard task first.

Whatever feels like the biggest challenge on your plate, tackle it head-on. You’ll be amazed at the joy and positivity that comes from conquering what once felt impossible. And here’s the kicker: most of the time, the task isn’t nearly as hard as we’ve convinced ourselves it is—it’s all about perspective.

If it seems impossible, that’s exactly why you should do it. The hardest tasks are often the most rewarding. They’ll teach you, change you, and push you to grow in ways you never imagined.

So, next time you’re staring down something tough, shift your perspective. Remember why you’re doing it. Maybe it’s sacrificing free time or slogging through boring details, but if it has the power to positively impact others (including yourself!), isn’t it worth it?

Hard work creates change, and change creates growth—for you and those around you. And hey, let’s aim for the better kind of change, shall we? 😉

Beating Procrastination (And Why It Matters)

That’s all for now! I know this wasn’t strictly about music, but I hope sharing my experience with procrastination helps someone out there.

How do you deal with procrastination? I’d love to hear your thoughts! My method is far from perfect, and I’m always looking to learn. Shoot me an email—I genuinely care about these conversations and helping you however I can. (You can email me here!)

If you found this helpful, feel free to share it with someone who might benefit from it. Also, don’t forget to check out some of the resources and templates I’ve created—they’re designed to make your composing journey smoother and more creative.

Now, go eat that frog! 🐸 You’ve got this.

Talk soon,

Theo 🎵