How to Feel Confident as an Aspiring Composer

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" fallacy.

"When I feel confident about networking, THEN I'll start networking."

It's like saying:

"When I feel strong, THEN I'll start working out."

Things are out of order.

But I felt this way, too. 👋

When I started pursuing composing seriously at 14, I was super shy.

Nobody even knew I played piano.

It literally took my friends TRICKING me into a jazz band audition to become public about my music.

From there, I started interacting with other musicians, slowly increasing my confidence.

The turning point?

An English class project where I decided to perform a composition publicly.

I was terrified.

We marched to the orchestra room, and I played my piece on the piano with my head buried practically underneath it.

When I finished, the class was silent.

I raised my head...

... and everyone was crying.

That's when I realized I had the power to move people.

In time, my shyness turned into confidence.

So how can YOU build confidence in your music and career goals?

First, start doing the things you want to feel confident about.

Doing builds confidence.

Waiting to feel ready?

You never will be.

If you want to feel more confident networking, start networking.

Be willing to fail, and grow from it.

Second, you can't do this alone.

Work with supportive people.

Find those who believe in you.

I was lucky to have friends who pushed me out of my comfort zone.

And you need that to grow, too.

Third, stop comparing yourself.

As Mark Twain famously said:

"Comparison is the thief of joy."

It's easy to get discouraged seeing others succeed.

Compare yourself to who you were a year ago - not to others.

Focus on your progress.

Finally, take care of yourself.

Don't get tunnel vision on your career.

Don't burn out blasting 400 emails or creating nonstop content.

Loosen up.

Your confidence will grow when you give yourself permission to explore.

Take care of yourself:

• 🚶‍♂️ Go on walks
• 🍲 Eat good food
• 🏋️‍♀️ Exercise
• 🗣️ Socialize

Remember:

Your confidence won't happen overnight, but it WILL happen in time.