A career in music comes with a lot of highs and lows. And those lows often include doubt, rejection, and imposter syndrome.
It happens to all of us. We look around at other artists who are getting more likes, more follows, more views, more streams, and we wonder…
What’s wrong with us?
Why don’t we have what they have?
Maybe we’re really not that talented or deserving after all?
Tired of feeling like you can never be enough?
As the old saying goes, “comparison is the thief of joy.”
But it’s usually not enough for your brain to KNOW you should avoid comparing your achievement to others. We have to distract ourselves from comparison as much as possible, by seeking deeper sources of fulfillment.
Like the music itself!
Whenever you start getting down about your art or its place in the world, remind yourself:
- You didn’t learn an instrument or write your first song in order to make endless “content.” You make MUSIC!
- Music brings connection, joy, catharsis. Songs can heal people.
- Your music — whether it heals one or one billion people — is a gift to yourself and the world.
- Audience size, stream counts, ticket sales — they’re an important part of the journey, but those metrics are not the sole measurement of success.
- The joy you feel when you write a new song equals success. Most people in the world never get to experience that feeling.
- Your musical journey won’t look like anyone else’s. It doesn’t need to sound like anyone else either. We’re all on a unique path.
- Even for some of the most famous artists in the world, the MUSIC is more important than the METRICS.
Here’s a great quote from Taylor Swift as she accepted one of her Grammys in 2024:
I would love to tell you that this is the best moment of my life, but I feel this happy when I finish a song, or when I crack the code to a bridge that I love…
For me, the award is the work. All I want to do is keep being able to do this.
You. Are. Enough.
Celebrate your wins. Be proud of your work. And keep going.
