How I Stopped Confusing Being Busy With Being Productive
About five years ago, I hit a wall. My weeks were packed with work—shows, sessions, teaching, workshops… you name it. For a while I truly loved the grind, but eventually I started to feel like a hamster spinning endlessly on a wheel. I was moving constantly but going nowhere.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine burning out doing the thing I love more than anything.
But I did.
Lack of sleep, poor eating habits, and constant stress finally caught up with me. I realised something had to change.
That moment—deciding to use my time more intentionally—was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
If you’re looking to become more productive (not just busier), here are a few lessons I’ve learned along the way. I hope they help you as much as they helped me.
Busy vs. Productive
This was a huge revelation for me: Being busy and being productive are not the same thing.
It wasn’t unusual for me to play 3–5 shows on a weekend, teach during the day, and pack my weekdays with more of the same. I never took a day off. When friends asked how I’d been, I’d enthusiastically tell them how insanely busy I was—like it was something to brag about.
The truth? I was running myself into the ground. Eventually, I burned out completely.
Just in case you’re wondering: burnout is very, very real.
I worked morning, noon, and night, saying yes to everything because I thought that’s what productivity looked like.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Rule #1: Your time is valuable. Don’t forget it.
The first big shift I made was learning to say No more often than Yes.
And let me tell you… it was terrifying.
When you’re self-employed, saying no feels risky.
“What if nothing else comes in?”
“What if I can’t pay the bills?”
“What if, what if, what if…”
But once I got clear on my values and stopped accepting everything that landed in my inbox, something incredible happened:
I started doing one gig for the same money I used to make doing three.
I realised that saying yes to low-paying, time-sucking work meant saying no to better opportunities—and the reverse is equally true.
Busy = saying yes to everything without considering whether it’s worthwhile.
Productive = setting goals and only saying yes to what moves you toward them.
Set Goals and Stick to Them
My first goal in this process was simple:
Do less work for more money.
I felt guilty even thinking it. I come from a long line of hardworking people, and asking for “less work” felt selfish… maybe even lazy.
But I eventually realised there’s nothing wrong with wanting a better, more sustainable life. The problem wasn’t working hard—it was working hard without direction.
If you want change, set goals.
Be crystal clear about them.
Write them down.
Revisit them regularly.
I love the saying:
“When we lose our why, we lose our way.”
Whenever I start drifting, I re-read my goals and it instantly reconnects me to my purpose.
And here’s a simple filter that changed everything for me:
Whenever a new offer comes in, ask:
Does this help me move toward my goals?
If not, don’t do it.
Make Time for Creative & Personal Development
These days, I have a morning routine between 9–10am that includes some combination of yoga, Qi Gong, meditation, journaling, reading, and music practice. It sounds like a lot for one hour, but after some trial and error, I’ve found a rhythm that truly works.
In my old life, I practiced for hours every day. Now I’ve learned that short, focused bursts—just 5–10 minutes—are far more effective. This routine has been transformative. It’s improved my musicianship, my mental clarity, and my overall mood in ways I never expected.
If you’re a songwriter, maybe try speed writing each morning. If you’ve wanted to start meditating, carve out five minutes…and if the thought of getting started feels too overwhelming, start even smaller, but start. Just begin, somewhere, anywhere….and keep going.
Over time, small habits compound into big change. You’ll see.
Get Off the Devices
I set specific times to check emails and social media and avoid my phone the rest of the day.
Every morning with a cup of tea, I check emails and messages. Then again in the early evening, I do a final pass. At night, instead of scrolling endlessly, I leave my phone in the living room and take a book to bed. This tiny choice has cleared so much mental clutter, and I sleep better than I have in years.
Final Thoughts
I hope these reflections help you find more clarity, balance, and purpose in your own creative life. If you have tips of your own, I’d love to hear them…drop them in the comments below.
And remember:
Your time is valuable. Your energy is valuable. You are valuable.
