There are so many distractions in a songwriter’s life – both inside and outside of the writing room.  They sneak up on us and steal our best work right out from under us.  But if YOU want to consistently move toward success, you must keep focused on your big W.I.N.

____________________

To BE a pro, you need to THINK like a pro, and this FREE ebook will help transform your thinking, your songwriting, and your success.  Get it today!

Click Here For The Book

_________________________________

Every day, every hour, every minute, you need to be focused on your W.I.N. Your W.I.N. will help you beat back distraction, drama, and derailment.  Focusing on your W.I.N. will help you keep moving in the direction of your dreams in spite of disappointment.  Because, let’s face it… there WILL be disappointment.

W.I.N. = What’s Important Now?

You win when you W.I.N.

Yeah, I know it sounds simple.  But simple isn’t always easy.  There are so many things that keep us from writing, for example.

How many times do you check email during a cowrite?  That’s not W.I.N.ing.

Whatever MIGHT be waiting in your inbox is probably not more important than the song you’re working on.  Dreaming about your someday #1 party isn’t as important as the song you’re writing now.  Complaining about the music biz isn’t as important as that next song.  Playing your newest demos for your cowriter isn’t as important as the song you’re writing right now.

Sometimes, writing a new song won’t be your W.I.N.

Sometimes, your W.I.N. is to search for an idea worth writing.  And eventually, you’ll need to record your best songs so you can play them for people.  Sometimes, the W.I.N. will be pitching a song – and tracking down who to pitch it to.  Sometimes the W.I.N. will be a songwriting workshop or class so your future songs will be better, faster.

And sometimes your W.I.N. is to shut everything down for the day and be fully present with your family – so you’ll have people who will celebrate your eventual success with you (instead of resenting your songwriting).

Sometimes, the W.I.N. is to put down the guitar and spend time with your Creator, getting yourself in tune so you define success correctly.  “What’s Important Now” might be finding out what’s most important in your life.

“What’s Important Now” will be different at different times, so you’ll want to ask that question several times a day.  As a matter of fact, you might want to grab the image below and keep it where you’ll see it often.  (If you’re like me, you need frequent reminders to do the BEST thing, not just a good thing or the next thing.)

I hope this reminder will help YOU win in your songwriting- and in life.  I’d love to hear from you.  What are some of the things that distract you from your W.I.N.?  How do you stay focused or get back on track?  Leave a comment!

If your W.I.N. is to really dig in to what it means to write commercial, “cut/able” songs, then you should definitely check out my new, expanded and upgraded version of “Cut/able: Lessons In Market Smart Songwriting.” Its five powerful lessons will help you write songs that artists want to sing, radio wants to play, and listeners want to hear! CLICK HERE TO WRITE CUT/ABLE SONGS.

God Bless and Enjoy the Journey,

Brent

Brent Baxter is a hit songwriter with cuts by Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Lady Antebellum, Joe Nichols, Gord Bamford, Ruthie Collins, Ray Stevens, and more. He’s written a top 5 hit in the US and a #1 in Canada… so far.