In case you missed this video...
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Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about comfort and risk.
After diving deep into Brianna Wiest’s The Mountain Is You, I’ve spent the last few weeks taking an honest look at the ways I hold myself back from the growth I know I’m capable of.
Here are some examples:
• 👋 I know successful people in my network who could help me grow massively, but I’ve grown comfortable feeling like the expert.
• 💸 I know I could be charging even more for my music, but I’ve grown comfortable hearing “yes.”
• 📣 I know I could run paid ads, but I’ve grown comfortable sharing myself organically.
The key word here? Comfort.
Comfort is the enemy of growth.
Comfort isn’t bad — but if you’re trying to level up, it’s restrictive. And pushing through discomfort is 100% necessary if growth is what you want.
But here's the problem.
I listed out some of my current pain points. But identifying them? That took weeks of self-reflection, journaling, and conversations with people I trust. And that process takes time.
If you can’t see where you’re holding yourself back, you’ll never change.
And that's where risk comes in.
Risk looks different for everyone. Sometimes, we risk time — trying a new hobby, making a project that might not “do” anything, or spending money on a course we might not finish.
But ultimately, risk is all about perception.
You could see something as a potential “waste of time” and perceive it as a risk.
Or...
You could see not trying it — staying exactly the same as you are now — as an even greater risk.
Want a powerful reframe?
When you're in desperate need for change, staying the same might be the greatest risk you take.
So...
My question for you this week:
If you’re being 100% honest with yourself — where are you holding back?
❌ Are you putting off finishing or releasing music?
❌ Are you avoiding connecting with higher-tier clients and creatives?
❌ Are you withholding who you are from people in your life or audience?
Now, ask yourself:
"What need is my self-sabotaging behavior serving?"
Because if it wasn’t serving you in some subconscious way, you wouldn’t be doing it.
(This is where outside perspective like coaching can be so powerful.)
Once you've determined those needs ⎯ often falling into categories like safety or love, it's time to break the cycle.
To break the cycle, you have to meet those needs with a positive behavior instead of a negative one.
That requires deep work, vigilant self-awareness, and the courage to break old patterns.
It’s not an overnight fix.
But once you realize how much power your behaviors hold — and how much they shape what you achieve — you’ll never look back.
đź‘‹ Want to work with me?
I've got two courses...
- 🎻 Orchestral Mockup Fundamentals. Learn how to program and perform realistic orchestral mockups in minutes with my no-fluff, 3-hour crash course.
- 🎬 Composing Career Bootcamp. Join 100+ students from around the world who are using my 6-week program to land paid work in film, animation, and games. (Or try my free 4-part masterclass before deciding to enroll.)
And two ways we can work together...
- 🚀 The Pro Group. I work closely with composers who crave deeper personal alignment and creative fulfillment in their businesses. If you're ready, book a call and let's chat about your goals to determine together if we're a great fit.
- 🎶 Commission Music. I'm accepting new clients for commissioned composing work. If you like my music and want to discuss working together on a project, hit reply to this email or click the link and let's chat.
That's all for now!
Hit reply to share thoughts or say hi.
Otherwise, happy music-making and see you next time. 🙂
- Zach
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