Some people work really well under pressure. Usually, in these cases, we define pressure as a deadline, or some other specific conditions that make the person(s) feel like they have to come up with the goods or lose out.
So, some people thrive really well on this. Why ? I guess there's no greater motivator than knowing that you've got to do something otherwise you're going to be in a much worse situation than if you didn't. I read a phrase somewhere that said something about a person would climb out of a pit faster if he's avoiding the spikes at the bottom than if he were looking upwards to the light. Something to that effect. Pressure can force results out of people.
Let's say you're in the studio and you've got to lay down a guitar solo for somebody. The job was at short notice and the clock is ticking. With a few minutes of studio time left you say 'to hell with it' and just wing it. What comes out may be great because you weren't too picky and obsessive over the results, you just went for it. Sometimes pressure can make us prioritise in ways that can benefit the music.
Iron Maiden used to give themselves only 6 weeks to write an album. Steve Harris said that they just seemed to deliver the goods when under that kind of time scale.
But it's not for everyone.
Pressure can make us feel constrained and, if one is more prone to anxiety than another person, they spend so much time worrying about running out of time or not coming up with something good enough that they don't make any progress at all. All their energy is consumed by worrying about the conditions placed on them, either by themselves, others or circumstance. Sometimes, a mind really needs to be free in order to allow ideas to formulate. Inspiration usually happens randomly so unless a mind is receptive and open enough to catch it, it's very unlikely it can be forced.
Also, having the time to explore your idea means you can let it grow and morph into something else at its own pace. There's no conditions placed on it. I find it's easier to enjoy those kinds of projects that were not contrived in any way.
I've personally created stuff in both scenarios; under pressure and at leisure. I've gotten great results from both and mediocre results from both as well.
Ultimately there's no right or wrong way. You may prefer one over the other but can make it work with both. Or maybe you're cool with one but not creative at all with the other.
What do you prefer ? Which scenario gives you better results and why do you think that is ?
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