In Short
Being a better musician, producer, engineer, mixer has a certain number of challenges. Overcoming the fear of failure, stepping outside our comfort zone, working hard even when it hurts, and seeking collaboration are the keys to success.
In Depth
When it comes to creativity, improving your results is not easy, at times it feels impossible. Artists, writers, musicians, engineers, mixers, in fact all creatives, face an uphill battle. It’s enough to make one want to give up. The inclines feel small and the plateaus seem to last forever.
I remember learning to play the guitar, that’s over forty years ago. Sometimes it would feel like months passed and there was no improvement, then I’d think “is this as good as I get?”
Perhaps that’s you right now, but here's the thing: it's within that struggle where the real magic happens. Embracing the creative struggle to improve is not a waste of time, like losing weight, change is happening, we just need to believe that over time those small things lead to a big change.
Here’s a few things we need to come to terms with.
Fear of Imperfection
Let's be honest — many of us are terrified of imperfection, I certainly am. We want to create masterpieces on our first attempt, which holds us back. We're afraid to take risks, try new things, and venture beyond our comfort zones. But guess what? Imperfections aren't failures; they're stepping stones to improvement.
To conquer this fear, we need to embrace the learning process. Improvement takes time, dedication, and a hunger for growth. Embracing the creative struggle means embracing setbacks and mistakes. Every brushstroke, sentence, or note is a chance to grow as a creator.
In my article Fixing In The Mix Is A Lie, I shared my struggle with getting good results in my lighting of videos for this blog. It took days, a lot of reading, watching of videos and experimentation. At times it felt one of those set pieces from a movie where you see an inventor go through endless iterations in a montage that last thirty seconds.
Yesterday, I made a new video and smiled at the results, the success was the result of a lot of failures.
Pushing Boundaries
If you want to up your creative game, you've got to step out of your comfort zone. It's easy to stick to what you know, but true innovation happens when you explore uncharted territory.
Embracing the struggle means taking risks, trying new things, and experimenting with different styles. When did you last listen to some music from a genre you are not used to? I wonder, if you love Jazz, when did you last listen to some thrash metal, or if your thing is Hip Hop, some Mozart? These may sound like extremes, but for a creative inspiration can be found in the most unlikely places.
Or when did you last read a book from an author who you’d never consider your taste? I recall my wife recommended I read Becoming by Michelle Obama. I didn’t think it would be something that would interest me. I found the book informative, inspiring and challenging in many different ways. I had judged a book by its cover and nearly missed a good thing because of it.
We grew up in a house where my father said that he hated certain foods, but he had never tried them. The simple thought of different types of food meant he never got to experience cuisine that he might well have loved.
It might feel uncomfortable, but that's where the magic happens. By pushing boundaries, you expand your skills, broaden your horizons, and open doors to new ideas.
Perseverance In The Face of Resistance
The creative struggle isn't just about technical challenges; it's about battling the doubts, self-criticism, and fear of rejection that plague us throughout the process. But here's the deal: you need to dig deep and keep going.
Some who read this blog will know of my ongoing battle to fitness. Over the last few years I’ve lost several stones in weight and feel a lot better. Once I did that I decided to invest in a personal trainer to help me tone up, and deal with my Man Boobs!
After the first session he told me I’d feel pain as I’d been using muscles that hadn’t had more work in a long time. The next morning I woke up and expected to feel like I’d done ten rounds in the boxing ring, nothing. I texted my trainer to tell him that I seemed to have escaped the pain.
The next day I was flying to London. I couldn’t lift my arms, I thought they were going to fall off! I had what is known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). Did I really want to endure this pain? If I wanted to become what I was hoping for the simple answer is yes.
The pain may not be physical, for many of us it’s emotional. But, learn to silence that nagging inner critic and persist. The road to improvement isn't a smooth ride, but those who make it are the ones who push through the obstacles.
Collaboration And Feedback
Many of us work alone, brought on for some in a post-pandemic world. We went home to work and never returned to a team. I know I’ve become more introverted and are less inclined to want to be with others, I work alone 99% of the time. I’ve become comfortable with being a creative recluse.
However, we don't have to go it alone (I’m talking to myself here!). Sharing your work and seeking feedback can be the key to creative growth. Surround yourself with fellow creators, mentors, or trusted friends who can provide fresh perspectives and insights.
Constructive criticism, when taken with an open mind, helps you refine your skills and see your work from a new angle. Collaboration not only gives you a sense of belonging, but it also exposes you to diverse ideas and approaches. Break out of your echo chamber and explore new horizons.
Conclusion
The creative struggle is an integral part of the journey to improvement, it’s not optional, it’s part of the deal.
My first real experience of grief was losing my Dad to COVID a couple of years ago, nothing prepares you for grief. I always thought it was linear, really terrible in the early days and then getting less painful as time went on - in my experience it’s not. It catches you out when you least expect it.
For me, grief is a reminder that creativity is messy, nonlinear, and full of surprises.
Embrace the struggle, shed your fear of imperfection, and dive headfirst into the learning process.
Push yourself, DOMS and all, persevere in the face of resistance, and seek collaboration and feedback. By doing so, you'll unlock your true potential and take your creative results to new places.