I’m a songwriter and member of the band Frets, Bridges, and Skins. I’m a big fan of Paul McCartney. In fact, I’m reading his book, The Lyrics. 

In the book, McCartney tells his life story through the songs he has written, going back to his teen years. 

It made me think of the process I go through when I write songs for the band. 

If an idea for a song comes to mind, or I think of a few catchy lyrics, I put them on my phone.

Likewise, if I’m strumming my guitar and play a riff that interests me, I put it on my phone. 

Thereafter, when I have free time at night or on the weekends, I scroll through my phone, reading my notes, and pick one to work on.

And it takes time and effort to get the lyrics and melody to where I want to practice the song. 

It reminds me of McCartney’s story about composing his most famous song, Yesterday. Did you know the original title to the song was Scrambled Eggs? That was because the melody of the song came to him in a dream. That morning, while the dream was still fresh in his mind, he started writing the lyrics-while he was having breakfast. 

One of my favorite songs that I wrote is Love the One Who Loves You. It’s about my relationship with my wife. 

When I wrote that song, I was comparing it to Stephen Stills’ song, Love the One You’re With.

I love Stephen Stills, he’s a great singer/songwriter. 

But as I think about my wife, I think my song makes more sense. 

All this thought about writing leaves me wondering, what is more important?

Inspiration or Effort and Time?

Which is more important for business executives – and songwriters – to have?

Is it better to be an inspired creator, or just put in the work?

Well, inspiration is nice. Great ideas by great men and women propel society forward. Are the most brilliant ideas, songs, products created by a spark of beautiful inspiration? 

Potentially. 

If you want to be number 1 in your industry, you probably need a strong work ethic, and a dose of inspiration. The market leaders usually do something better and different than the rest of the market. 

But is inspiration overrated?

I remember a study that was done where students were asked to take wonderful photos. Half the students were asked to take as many photos as possible and choose the best photo out of the bunch to submit. The other half were asked to just take one perfect photo and submit that. 

Which students produced the best, most visually appealing photos? It was the ones that took more photos. Why? Because they had more practice taking different photos, or different subjects, at different angles, and with different lighting. So they got better and better the more they took photos. 

So the answer may just be doing more. The more you do, the better you get. 

There is no substitute for rolling up your sleeves and getting to work. 

To win, the solution may be as easy as creating a process and sticking to it. Every day.

I provide financial planning services for people looking to get wealth – or properly manage the wealth they already have. 

I specialize in helping people develop financial strategies to get personal financial freedom and create family legacies. 

Also, I encourage clients to take the long view. I help them make decisions today that will benefit them, their families and their businesses in the future. 

To learn more about my financial planning practice, or get my Amazon bestseller, The Fiscal Therapy Solution 1.0, visit my website here.