Okay, so this is basically a reminder to myself but maybe some of you will relate?

Lets start with a few personal thoughts and then in the next journal entry we can crack open some practical discoveries I’ve been enjoying✌🏻.

What does the term efficiency really mean to you? So much about life tells us efficiency is linked to routine, productivity, order, schedules etc. In my case I am not sure I agree!

Of course if you are employed by a firm or company you will need to find your sweet spot within that company’s boundaries, or if you are a person who thrives in that type of structure then I can totally understand how that works for you.

I think this year though has turned conventional thinking on it’s head as many are forced to stay home and I think it’s just an awesome time to redefine how we live and work.🌌

The last few years have taught me so much about myself. I’ve learnt that the most efficient version of me is actually when I’m able to position myself in a space (mental, physical, emotional and spiritual) in which I can optimise output during these  “energy peaks” of focus and clarity  etc. 

Then choosing to take time out to rest, fuel my passions or simply deal with other life admin or stresses in those “valleys”. 

Sometimes the peaks though are an intense run of late nights, sometimes they are at odd times, sometimes they mean slowly chipping away at something with gaps in between. Sometimes sitting back, reading, researching and indulging your imagination can be a huge part of the work itself! When inspired and fresh you can nail something in half a day that can take you a week wading through those muddy ravines!

It depends on so many factors and we are all wired so differently.

Look at Lewis Hamilton for example. He has just become the most successful F1 driver of all time. 7 world championships, most race wins, podiums and pole positions etc.

People have questioned his ways, his lifestyle and character for years now. The truth is that he gets it done and done well because he has found his sweet spot. His way is different and it’s incredible to see it work! No one sees the hours he puts in behind the scenes. They just judge him on what they see about his “flashy life” on social media etc.

Please let’s then add on what he does with his platform for equality and diversity and you can see how he is transcending Formula 1 (His field of expertise) right in front of our eyes. 🏎

I continue to tell myself not to condition thoughts, expectations and workflow according to “a set of rules” formed by others.

Yes I can continue to glean knowledge, learn and find balance but I still want and need be true to who I am as an individual.

I have this one life and I had better be the best version of me there is right? Sounds simple. It’s not…

A good analogy is Spotify. Do you know that on average there are more than 40 000 songs uploaded every day? How the heck do you expect to stand out from the crowd with stats like this? Yikes!

YOU HAD BETTER BE THE MOST YOU VERSION OF YOU POSSIBLE.

This will be a lifelong journey and the cool thing is, it’s never too late to start or reinvent ourselves again and again. 

I choose to try centre and align my values with my faith in God but we are all unique. Your journey will never be my journey and vice versa.

How does Legacy come into this??

We all at some stage start thinking of what we want to leave behind. How do we want to be remembered? Some people have the viewpoint that after one or 2 generations after they pass they are forgotten anyway. I don’t think we will ever quite understand the ripple effect we have on the people and atmosphere around us. I might not have kids yet but can only imagine how this feeling goes to another level when you extend your clan further!

For the last year or 2 this personal journey has also been challenging me to trim back on “stuff” (yes my waistline too..more on this later!) 🦁.

To look at all I own and test what I use on a daily basis to check that it actually facilitates creativity and passion. I’m a bit of a hoarder by nature so this journey of decluttering is a great start to a clearer head and work/living space.

I’m a firm believer in limited choices can/probably will be a conduit for better creativity and efficiency! At least it’s often like this in music 🤓.

So, therefore anything else I own and choose to keep should either be sentimental (even check that!) or facilitate a dream of something in the not too distant future maybe? 

Yes, I have a little confession…I own 7 vintage drum kits that are worth a fair bit of bucks. I might let go of 1 or 2 but still have a dream of having a room in my house/studio where all the kits are set up permanently, that at a drop of a hat my friends, kids, clients can go in and have a blast. Also choosing a kit for different projects/songs is high up on my list of lovely things to do. I also LOVE stripping/rebuilding the kits and servicing them when I have the space to do so.

There are other things though, like excess outboard studio equipment, furniture, outdated electronics, cables, other misc STUFF that I’m so excited to shed. Will be moving the rest of our lives over to the UK in the next few months so this will be a perfect opportunity for some of this!

In my next post very soon I want to share a bunch of rad personal discoveries I’ve made the last few years. Things that have and hopefully will continue to improve my efficiency!

Things like the ULTIMATE travel backpack which fits in the overhead and is perfect for 1 bag travel! These bag options are perfectly geared for my fellow nomadic music engineers who need to carry gear and clothes etc.!

Then I also want to share about my streamlined (and portable) full studio setup.

It allows me to have plenty of inputs/outputs for large band/live recordings and outboard gear as well as being a super powerful hybrid mix/mastering setup.

Also, more about the new audio equipment venture I’ve started with the help of some AMAZING people.

Big love to my friends and I will continue to hope and pray you keep safe and well as we ride out this crazy wave. 

Next post soon hopefully! 🖖🏻

Hugs not Thugs,

Bren x