Growth is uncomfortable

If you want to get better at something, it’s going to be uncomfortable.

Why?

Because growth and comfort can’t co-exist.

When you think of something you feel comfortable with, what are you really saying?

You’re saying that you’re content with it. That your present skills or state is something that feels safe and secure.

But what if you want to get...

“I’d need a guarantee…”

How often do you hold back on your dreams simply because you’re not sure if they’re possible?

Maybe you feel like your goals are too ambitious, too risky, too improbable.

But I don’t buy it.

What you’re REALLY saying is that you’re scared.

You fear…

• What it would mean if you failed.
• Not knowing what success...

If you're a composer looking to go full-time and pursue your dream, what's holding you back right now?

Is it a lack of information?

Is it information overload?

Or maybe...

Is it a lack of confidence?

For many, it's a combination of all three - but today, we'll chat on confidence.

Many composers I teach say they're waiting to "feel ready" to pursue the career.

We call this the "when-then"...

So, you've been trying to do composing professionally for a long time now.

Maybe you've even dreamt of this career ever since you were a kid.

You love the idea of...

• Doing what you love for a living
• Getting to work on cool projects
• Getting to work with cool people
• Getting paid well to do it

And yet...

You're now hitting a point where all the things you've tried to get there...

Someday, you'd like to start pursuing paid composing work.

But you're not ready for it yet - or so you think.

So to GET ready, you've been focusing on practicing your composing skills so that your music will be "good enough" to be taken seriously.

And yet, you might still be wondering:

"How will I know when my music IS good enough to get paid?"

Good question.

But what...

One of the most difficult questions I’ve ever been asked came from a 30-year old composer back in 2023.

Here’s what he wrote to me:

“On paper, I have the knowledge, experience, and abilities to pursue a full-time musical career in some form or another.

But I lack FAITH.

On a good day, I still can’t see where all of my efforts are leading. And a bad day, my work feels...

Throughout the last 365 days, my YouTube channel has been climbing rapidly to nearly 100,000 subscribers.

But for the past few months...

I'd been dealing with a pretty hefty creative block.

It started with a short break from content creation I took in November to create the  Composing Career Bootcamp.

But as more time went on, I found it harder and harder to resume the types of YouTube...

A few weeks back, an old friend and colleague of mine reached out in response to my newsletter to ask about a career pivot he’s been considering.

(He’s probably reading this one, too—hope you don’t mind me sharing!)

From my understanding, he composes mostly for pleasure at the moment, but has thought about giving it a go full-time.

When reaching out, he asked me for my...

If you’re trying to find paid work composing for media, I’m sure you’ve fallen into this trap.

You Google “film music jobs” on Google, or see an opportunity pop up on social media.

Your heart races with excitement as you imagine the thrill of working on that project.

And then you read the job requirements.

Your heart sinks.

You’re not qualified. 

...

I recently had a student from the Composing Career Bootcamp ask me for tips on creating a website.

Here’s my opinion:

Social media profiles can pretty near serve as websites these days.

(Especially if it's an account you're active on and have your work on)

About 50% of clients interested in working with me reach out on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

But if you opt to go for a website as...