Hey Reader,

Some of my favorite sessions started without a plan.
I’d open Ableton, scroll through sounds, drag in a loop…
Just letting the vibe guide me.

It felt like pure freedom — no pressure, no expectations.
Just me and whatever idea would show up.

And honestly?
That kind of flow is powerful.
Sometimes it leads to something magical.

But other times… it doesn’t.
Other times I’d end up deep in a loop with no clue where to take it next.

That’s when the doubt kicked in:
​Is this even going anywhere?​
​What’s the point of this track?​
​Should I just start something new?

And suddenly, the fun turned into frustration.

Because while it felt like I was being creative,
I wasn’t actually moving forward.
There was no target label, no reference vibe, no clear path.

And since I don’t self-release — I want my music signed —
that lack of direction became a real problem.

Here’s what changed everything for me:

#1 Before starting a new project, I define the feeling and purpose.

I don’t always have all the answers.
But even just picking one or two reference tracks and imagining the ideal context (a club, a sunset set, a peak-time moment) gives me an emotional target to aim for.
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And that makes sound selection, arrangement, and energy flow way easier.

#2 At the end of every session, I write down 2–3 To-Dos for next time in my Notion template.​
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This part kicks in after the project has already started —
when I’m in the middle of it, deep in the details, and making real progress.

Before I close the DAW, I ask myself:

This simple habit helps me avoid the “Where was I?” feeling at the beginning of a session.
I don’t have to guess or overthink — I just open the project and my Notion template, and follow the plan.
It turns every session into a continuation, not a new beginning.

It’s a small shift. But it’s made a big difference.

Even if I only have 45 minutes after work, I can dive right in — no confusion, no wasted time.

And most importantly: I stay connected to the original idea behind the track.
That initial spark? It stays alive the whole way through.

The takeaway?​
If you want to finish more music, don’t just chase inspiration.
Set direction. Start with the mood. Define the target.
Then build the track.

Stay Productive,
- LEMAN

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​Stay Productive Notion Template - The ultimate tool to organize your music business, manage your tracks, and stay productive. Designed for music producers.