So, here it is track number three; Riptide.

Three tracks in one month. What a wild ride. Three tracks brought to you by a time box and peer accountability. I’m amazed at the number of hours that I managed to find. A few too many ready-meals and too much evening screen-time, though.

Now the time sprint is over, there’s flood of ideas that have returned. After final submission last Tuesday I’ve, put the tools down and let the divergent thinking back in. I’ve picked up a book I was putting off.

I pre-committed myself to doing February Album Writing Month again. When I did I hadn’t expected to spent so much focused time in January. It’s very much a how you play is what you win scenario. The first year I had zero expectations, and hit the 14 things target. Some were instrumentals and some were only lyrics. Last year, I tried towards a coherent album and flamed out. I have pages of notes, but mixing ideation and editing really stifled me.

This year, I’m still ruminating on what a personal metric of success is. Ultimately, something that keeps me creating in March. I’ve learnt how much of my process is in an “I hate this” or “I don’t know where this is going” phase. It’s a lot. Yet, I can push through all the way to something shareable, if I put the time in.

And that’s the crux; putting the time in, regularly. And, working towards finishing a specific song. My meta-goal for FAWM is process, and I’ll hang out in the community while I’m at it.

Of course, I spent my downtime reading about working styles. Which if I keep it up is a failure mode all on its own. So, I’ll spare you details this week, but Andy Matuschak’s thoughts on satisfaction and progress, and ratcheting habits are relevant here.