The Decision to Leave My Job
Ten years ago, I made the bold decision to leave my job and pursue electronic dance music production full-time. My thought process was straightforward: if I dedicated 40 hours a week to producing and perfecting my skills, I would eventually get signed to a big label and go on tour. In essence, I believed this commitment would make me a professional producer.
My biggest mistake was attempting to do it alone. I convinced myself that the sheer amount of time I spent on production would lead to success. I thought that producing music for 40 hours a week, as opposed to 10-15 hours, would propel me forward much faster. However, I overlooked a critical aspect: working hard does not replace working smart.
Back then, my absolute number one priority was becoming a professional music producer. I spent countless hours hitting walls in production, repeating the same mistakes over and over until something finally clicked. This trial-and-error approach was the direct result of trying to navigate the complex world of music production on my own.
The Value of Professional Guidance
Looking back, I realize that if I had a professional mentor by my side, these mistakes would have been flagged early on. I wasted so much time figuring things out by myself. Although I took electronic dance music production courses and watched numerous YouTube tutorials, these resources didn't provide the personalized feedback and course correction I needed.
While I don’t regret my past decisions—because they ultimately led me to where I am today—I did learn things the hard way. Spending 40 hours a week on production without proper guidance wasted valuable time and potential opportunities.
If you find yourself:
Hitting walls in production and wondering why your tracks don’t sound professional,
Relying on YouTube tutorials for answers and wishing for immediate, personalized guidance,
Making music production your number one priority.
You have a choice: you can either continue watching from the sidelines, doing nothing to change your situation, or you can take proactive steps towards genuine growth as a producer. Every night, you can go to bed knowing you are doing everything in your power to level up and compete in the big leagues.
No more anxieties about the impossibility of producing a professional dance track. With the right guidance and mindset, you can achieve your dreams without the unnecessary struggles I faced.
Going to bed knowing one is pursuing all avenues to level up is powerful.