I'm wasting away hours a day infront of my keyboard, constantly developing new beats, composing songs, and developing ways I can teach my friend Emily how to improve her skills. I get so wrapped up that I forget of the things i need to do. I need to get so much crap done, but i forget time, does anybody have any ideas of how I can break this habbit? It's like being on drugs, it's insane. :eek:

Pull the plug?

Make appointments to meet other people. That way you will be motivated to be there on time and not disappoint.

Get a girlfriend too. :p

Um, I'd say don't break it. Why become a normal stooge? Keep composing.

The things that make us alive always make us forget about the time. Well-rounded people never get anywhere. Think about it. Who are we going to remember: some average Joe in 1790 who did everything by the book, made time for everything, and had a well-rounded life or a obsessive, raving deaf guy named Ludwig van Beethoven? Make time for what you think is absolutely needed, but don't block schedule your day just because you're "supposed" to. Composing <i>especially</i> shouldn't be regimented.

I record little demos every once in a while myself -- and when I do, I usually become engrossed in it, forgetting to eat, do my laundry, brush my teeth, go to bed, etc. And you're right; in a way, it's like a drug. But remember, as my idol Bill Hicks used to say, "Drugs have done good things for us too." Besides, people who aren't a least a little obsessed with something are boring as hell.

One thing is being completely wrapped up into what you do. I was once carving a fancy picture into a box I made of cast. I would work on it 12 or more hours a day, I got blisters on my fingers from holding the tool, that then became open wounds -- and I had to stop because I simply couldn't work anymore, as the pain was too big. Yeah, but it was great.


But I can imagine that ladymaynoth is facing a somewhat different problem:


and developing ways I can teach my friend Emily how to improve her skills.

I know this. When I tutor kids language, I tend to spend a lot of time, a lot of time preparing for the lessons. I wouldn't have to be nearly as thourough -- but I really want the kid to learn, so I completely immerse myself into the kid's way of thinking, and then figure out how to present matter to them in a manner that they can learn best and quickest.

Could this be your case?

I suggest then that you strictly separate between the work you do for your friend (to, say an hour or so), and the work you do for yourself. Set the purposes clear. Limit the sessions you have with your friend, and limit your preparation time.

It could be, that since you're working and preparing so much, things could become even harder to learn for your friend. I know that so much preparing can be counterproductive for the student; the teacher seems to lose touch with the student while trying so hard to keep touch -- paradoxically.

Good luck. :)

Thanks, I really appreciate all of your ideas and advice, it really helps. I think what I'm going to have to do is set aside certain days for this and hide my muiscal possesions. I love music very much, but I cannot let it become my whole life. I'm trying really hard to study to become a biochemist, I notice that I can get absorbed in that as well as I can anything else, it's just very difficult going back and forth. I wish i could add 12 more hours to each day.

Why not just take a vacation away from where you live for a week or two. Taking a break always refreshes ones spirit and creativity. Just don't play or write, unless the urge compels you, while away.

Therapy? The addict's last resort.