Music • Sound • Video • Art

Prioritizing helps to avoid stuff like this...

I’ve got way too many things I want to do given the free time I have to get things done in. And I’m not sure what to do about it.

I like to learn things, I like to explore and experiment. I tend to get a bit obsessive about my interests and immerse myself full bore in learning about whatever it is I am interested in. I consume every piece of information, article, or magazine on whatever it is I am “into”. That works really well when one’s focus is narrow; it becomes harder if it is too broad.

Unlike other interests, my fascination with music, music making, synths, production, soundscapes, etc. has been with me since my early twenties — through all of my various jobs, careers, and life changes. Its pursuit requires two components: the “elements” of music making and audio production that interest me, and the amount of time I have to devote to them. Unfortunately those two components are moving in opposite and incompatible directions.

• On the one hand, I am fortunate to live during a time when the explosion in computing power, software design, and cost all work in my favor. Cheap, powerful computers running software make almost anything possible in a home studio. Because of this, all sorts of areas are open to exploration.
• On the other hand, as I do not support myself with audio work, the amount of time I have available is decreasing as life’s other responsibilities (most of them gladly accepted) demand their due.

So the one (interests) is increasing while the other (time) is decreasing. They need to be brought in balance.

The answer of course is to decrease the scope of interests to be consistent with the time available. However, focusing on ‘A’ means of necessity NOT paying attention to ‘B’. Easy if you don’t care about ‘B’ … not so easy otherwise. So I guess it comes down to making choices about what you will learn and put into practice and what you won’t … and exercising the intellectual discipline to see the choices through.

Is it really that simple?