Hey Reader,

Welcome back to Inside the Studio – my weekly newsletter about finishing tracks, staying productive, and building your music career next to a 9–5.

Last week, I got stuck on a new edit.

The first idea didn’t convince me, and I caught myself thinking: ​
“Maybe I should just stop here.”

I felt frustrated — like I’d wasted time in the studio.

(If you’ve ever had a session like that, know this: it’s completely normal. Every producer hits moments where the idea feels flat, and doubts creep in.)

Then I turned around and looked at the whiteboard behind me.
On it, I’d written one simple line:

“Release 12 tracks this year.”

That reminder was enough to keep going.

By the end of the session, I wasn’t just back on track — I was vibing with the idea, motivated to finish it, and excited again.

Here’s what changed: I stopped asking “Is this track even worth it?” and started asking “Does this bring me closer to my goal?”

The difference is huge.

Without a goal, every session feels random. With a goal, even 30 minutes of producing feels meaningful.

So let me ask you: what’s your goal for this year?

If you don’t have one yet, that’s fine — today is the perfect time to set one. It could be finishing 3 tracks before December, submitting 2 demos, or releasing 1 edit.

Write it down, then decide your next weekly focus.

And if you’ve already set a goal but still feel lost, it might be that the goal isn’t fully yours. Sometimes we pick something generic — like “get signed by a big label” — that doesn’t match where we are right now.

Adjusting the goal to your needs can be the key to staying motivated.

Now, maybe you’re thinking: “I don’t like setting goals at all.”

That’s a choice, of course. But if you take your music seriously, goals will help you grow faster. The producers I know who never set them usually end up stuck — with lots of half-finished projects and little progress to show.

When you set a clear and realistic goal, doubts diminish, motivation increases, and every session feels like progress rather than random work.

So I’d love to hear from you: what’s the biggest challenge you face right now in music production, mixing, or mastering?

Just hit reply and tell me. I’ll personally share my perspective — so you don’t feel stuck figuring it out alone.

That’s it for now. Have a great week!

Stay Productive,
- LEMAN

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If you're looking to go deeper, here’s how I can help you:

🎯 Track Finishing Blueprint
My complete system to finish tracks faster, from first idea to label submission.

🚀 Stay Productive Template
Organize your music business, manage tracks, and stay on top of everything.

This email is sent by Stefan Lehmann via https://musicbyleman.com. I help independent music producers stay organized, consistent, and focused – even with a full-time job. These emails share tools, workflows, and personal insights to support your music journey.
You can reply directly to this email with questions or feedback – I read every message. To manage your preferences or unsubscribe, use the link below. For legal or support inquiries: contact@musicbyleman.com

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