The Reward of Overcoming Fear

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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!

Risk/Reward

This week I'm reminded about how much art and creativity, especially when paired with business, is based on opinion.

What is a good song?


What is a great song?


What is a bad song?

To be a creator in such an environment takes courage and resilience. The songwriter must, must, must pour their entire heart and soul into each and every song they write. Nothing can be held back in fear. The easiest way to hold back creativity is to rely on a tried and true form (or formula) of creating. This is where originality is abandoned in hopes of safer ground. Be bold and don't be afraid. There is treasure to be found.

Keep writing (and exploring),
Ben

Tom Hanks on Fear (see picture below video)

"Fear will get the worst of the best of us." This was one of the many pieces of wisdom that Tom Hanks imparted on Yale's 2011 graduating class. It's a long video, but you may find it interesting:




And I just can't resist including one of my favorites:

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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!

The Perfect Song

Somewhere in the back of my mind I want to believe that there is a perfect song inside of me waiting to be written. Maybe one day when that perfect song is released from its captivity, I'll announce to the writing world that we can all go home. Mission accomplished. I know enough seasoned songwriters who have realized that the "perfect song" finish line is still as far away as it was when they began writing.

That mindset, however, only leaves room for failure. Fear of failing is enough to stop a painting before the first brushstroke. Every song will fall short of perfection. What we need is a better understanding of how we define art as successful.

The pursuit of creating great art is less like aiming aiming an arrow at a bull's eye, and more like throwing a football through a tire. There is room for growth, as there is room for failure.

Keep writing,

Ben

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Would you or someone you know like to go on a songwriting retreat with industry professionals? Visit SongbirdCamp.com for more details!