There are only five things standing in the way of you making better mixes in less time.

1. Not Defending Your Time

High-performing, productive people prioritize their tasks, focus on getting them done, and don’t procrastinate with time-sucking activities. If you're just reactive with whatever gets thrown at you and never defend your time to actually sit down and mix, guess what? You won't get any mixing done.

2. Not Auditing Your Time

It’s not easy trying to squeeze in some music production time if you have a full-time job and a family. However, if you have time for hobbies and “hanging out” then you have time to be productive in the studio. Find those rare hours in-between commitments that you can use to create music. If you can't find any free time, take the time to audit the time you're spending throughout the week and decide whether all of those things are more valuable than making music.

I'm sure you can cut out random lunches, going out at night or spending an extra hour watching your new favorite Netflix show. It'll still be there when you're done...

3. No Putting it On Your Calendar

Having something as simple as a calendar reminder is an effective way to stay on track. For myself, if I want it to get done, it has to go on the calendar. Otherwise, I’ll just forget about it. I’m sure you’re the same way.

If you don’t schedule a block of time to focus on mixing then you’ll just get distracted with all the other random noise life throws at you. But if you put it on the calendar and show up for it, you’ll become better over time.

4. Not Eliminating Distractions

If you want to succeed in being productive and actually finish a mix quickly, you have to eliminate the distractions that keep you away from your work.

That means:

• Closing your browser.
• Shutting off push notifications on both your phone and your computer.
• Notifying your family or roommates that you are not to be disturbed while working.
• Closing the door to your home studio.

5. Not Setting Deadlines

If setting aside time to focus on mixing is easy for you, there might be something else that’s hindering your mixing success.

“The No Deadline Effect”

If you don’t actually have to send a mix to a client or release your music, you’ll inevitably destroy your mix with continuous, unnecessary tweaking. If you don’t give yourself a deadline to call the mix finished it’ll slowly unravel. Your incessant tweaking will make your mix die by a thousand cuts, only this time it’s not from Chinese Imperialist torture, but from your inability to put your EQ down.

Where to Start?

Once you’ve understood the thought process of setting time with yourself, eliminating distractions, and having a deadline you can finally get started.

That brings me to the question of:

“Out of all the ways I can tackle a mix, what should I focus on?!?”

That's what you can learn with the Step By Step Mixing ($4.99) and Better Mixes in Less Time ($4.99) eBook bundle that's available for only $5.99 this week only.

Both books have got some brand-spanking new interior designs so I guarantee that you'll even look cooler just reading them! 

This deal is only available for Audio Issues subscribers and ends tomorrow so make sure you grab Better Mixes in Less Time for only $1 right here.

P.S.

Here's what Dave Mallen said about Better Mixes in Less Time: