(Un)setting goals: creating for the joy of it

Aug 20, 2025
3 min read

A concrete goal, such as a release, can be incredibly motivating, especially when it comes with feedback. Yet it can also quickly turn into pressure and frustration when things do not go as planned. To keep the joy in my passion alive, it helps me to occasionally create music purely for fun, without any specific goal in mind. I love improvising with friends or simply sitting down at the piano with a cup of coffee in hand. Why this is so important (and far more effective than you might think) will become clear in the following paragraphs.

Lightness through improvisation

Playing with music in a spontaneous way brings us back to our creative beginnings, which were filled with freedom and curiosity. Improvisation can evoke exactly those feelings. Making music without a fixed structure improves both musical creativity and self-expression¹. Improvising without targets or evaluation can even increase originality and fluency, with an almost liberating effect².

Improvisation also fosters creative thinking in non-musicians³. We become more flexible, more inventive, and evolve into innovators and efficient problem-solvers⁴. Improvisation can therefore be a valuable resource that inspires us and gives us the freedom to express ourselves in many areas beyond art alone.

Creativity as the goal itself

Even without a goal in sight, the creative act is inspiring. Free from external expectations, we are especially open in our expression and draw motivation from within. In psychology, this type of drive is known as intrinsic motivation, which is crucial for creativity. During the act of creating, we feel engaged, competent, and self-determined. We do not need to wait for the outcome of our creativity to feel fulfilled.

When, for example, we are motivated by the release of a song and the recognition it brings, we speak of extrinsic motivation. For a long time, psychology regarded only intrinsic motivation as the key to creativity. More recent research, however, sees creativity as a combination of both⁵. We can therefore fulfill different needs, pursue goals, and draw motivation both during and after making music or other forms of creative expression.

Reaching the flow state

Being in flow means being fully absorbed in a creative activity. We merge with the music, focus all our attention on the act of creating, and feel more inspired and happier⁶. I once experienced this intensely during a jam session with my band. Without any plan, we improvised together, and after a short while, the music seemed to flow on its own. We were all completely in the moment, trying out new and unusual melodies and rhythms, and felt deeply connected through the music.

The flow state is therefore ideal for creatives and can become an inner motivator⁷. It drives us forward again and again, offering the space for creative unfolding and making the act of making music fulfilling in itself.

The beauty is that flow is not limited to music. You can experience it in many everyday activities, such as writing, cooking, or sports, whenever you focus fully on the moment and find joy in the activity itself. This state frees you from stress and self-doubt, strengthening both your motivation and well-being.⁸

Tips to enter the flow more easily:

Choose the right challenge

Flow comes more naturally when you feel neither under- nor overwhelmed. Try improvising with familiar melodies or chord progressions to ease into the state.

Focus on the process

The goal lies in the activity itself. While creating, ask yourself: “Am I fully absorbed in the activity, without thinking of the end result or any form of evaluation?”

Create distraction-free routines

Plan regular, dedicated times where you can engage in your creative work undisturbed. Over time, it will become easier to clear your mind and slip into the creative flow more quickly.

Cultivate mindfulness⁹

Conscious breathing, a brief meditation, or even a gentle warm-up exercise can help you arrive in the present moment and smooth the way into a state of flow.