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There are days that don’t go to plan. Sometimes the hour I thought I had shrinks to just 20 minutes. Or I’ve been sitting at my desk all day and just can’t stomach the thought of sitting back down at the computer to work on music. It’s easy to say “screw it” in those circumstances, and just do something else. I’ve done that plenty of times. But I’ve got a lot of music to work on, so I decided to make a list of some low-friction / computer-less actions that I can take to keep things moving forward when these times arise.

Here are 9 music-related micro-tasks you can do in 15 minutes or less — many of them away from a screen.

1. Write or Edit Lyrics

I put this first because it’s my nemesis and I want to keep it front and center. Try coming up with new concepts, reworking verses, or writing placeholder lyrics for existing melodies. Even just reading through unfinished lyrics and ideas can spark inspiration. Sometimes just one strong line is enough to crack open a stuck song.

2. Practice Your Instrument

Ten or 15 minutes is all it takes to shake the rust off. Grab your guitar, keyboard, or just warm up your vocals. Run through scales, a song section, or even noodle aimlessly. It all counts. 

3. Do Some Instrument Maintenance

Change strings, clean fretboards, tune your drums, dust your synths. It’s surprisingly satisfying and you’ll thank yourself later when inspiration strikes and everything’s nice and fresh.

4. Evaluate Your Progress / Adjust Your Calendar

Spend 10 minutes reviewing your active projects. Are you on track to meet your deadlines? Need to shift your focus? A quick realignment session can help to make sure you’re still making progress on the right things. 

5. Make Mixing or Production Notes

Listen back to your rough mix (even on your headphones or in the car) and jot down what stands out. Noticing too much low end in the verse? Write it down. Want to try a new vocal layer? Capture the idea now and act on it later. I keep a folder of current mixes in iCloud or Google Drive so I can listen to them anywhere. 

6. Critically Listen to a Favorite Song

I haven’t done this in a while, but it’s a great exercise. Put on headphones and pick apart a track you love (or something new). What’s going on in the arrangement? Can you pick out all the different instrument layers? What are the goosebump moments? Are there any production ideas that you could try to use in your own songs?

7. Record a Quick-and-Dirty Voice Memo Demo

 If you’re in a place where you want to write some new stuff, bust out your phone (or a portable recorder) and lay it down. Don’t worry about quality. Hum a melody, beatbox a groove, sing a hook. 

8. Transcribe Something You’re Writing (or record a video of you playing it)

I’ve made demos I’d love to re-record, but I’ve forgotten how to play them. Writing down the chords or recording a video can save time later. Sure you can probably figure it out, but it would be a hell of a lot easier to have the tab or a video to look at.

9. Clean or Tidy Your Studio Space

I love a clean desk. Sometimes things get out of control and it’s nice to reset the space. Wrap cables, wipe surfaces, get rid of the clutter. A clean space creates mental clarity. Do that at the end of the day and you’ll appreciate it tomorrow. 

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Progress doesn’t have to mean hours in the chair. These micro-sessions add up. They keep you engaged, keep your projects moving, and remind your brain (and your identity) that you are in fact making progress on your musical goals, even when time is tight. 

Next time you’ve got just 15 minutes, pick one of these micro-tasks and give it a shot. You might be surprised how much progress you can make in small bursts. Got your own favorite mini-sessions? I’d love to hear what works for you.