What I learned from writing a song a day (hint: it's not what you think;)

When the world went into lockdown in March of 2020 every single person on the PLANET was faced with a very scary, new reality. We each did the best that we could with this information.

Knowing myself and my tendency to need structure (even though my rebel inside feels like it’s taking away my freedom), I discussed with my coach what I would do with all this time.

I decided I would write a song a day for 30 days. In 2012-2013 I had done a project where I wrote a song a week for a year and the thought of doing something similar again, was taking up some brain space.

It was official. I would write a song a day.

I knew from my song a week project the benefits of a project like this. It taught me more than I ever could have imagined.

It busted myths I had been believing for years. The biggest one being about Inspiration and how I have to wait for it to hit in order to write a song.

The truth is that every time I sat down to write, inspiration would magically come.

I built it, and it came.

When you make the place/space/time for it, it appears. I didn’t have to wait.

I had to invite it in.

Did I love every single song, every single day? Not at all. But it was amazing that every time I sat down to write, I would end up with a song that hadn’t been there before.

Feels like a miracle every time.

But the thing I really learned during both challenges, is that accountability is the most powerful tool and is the most overlooked.

I don’t know about you, but for me, being accountable to myself usually is not enough.

As soon as I said it aloud to my coach, I knew I would do it. And then I committed to posting it live every day on Social Media. It was a double commitment.

I was locked in now.

If you’re struggling with following through on your creative endeavors, or any endeavor (hello all failed diet and workout plans), consider how you can get some accountability into the mix.

Can you declare it to your family? Get a friend involved? Join a workout group?

For my songwriters, I’m offering accountability along with songwriting teachings starting really soon. Keep your eyes peeled. I’m so happy to be able to help you in this way.

All my love,
Dana

p.s. I wrote a song a day during quarantine. If you want to see/hear some of those daily songs you can do that here.