The Five Stages of Creating
Every time I get hired to write music, I go through the same five stages.
Stage 1: total panic
The tyranny of the blank page.
Where do I even start? There’s so much work to do. I’m gonna screw this up. Every time I’ve done this in the past was a fluke. This is the moment everyone finds out I’m a fraud
Stage 2: Crippling self doubt
I’ve gotten started, but I’m testing out ideas that aren’t very inspired.
It’s not sounding great, it feels kind of amateurish, and I’m doubting my ability to turn what I’m working on into a polished, professional product.
Stage 3: hints of emerging confidence
After a lot of experimentation, I stumble upon something that clicks.
Maybe it’s a musical phrase or a sound. Whatever it is, I decide to follow the call and roll with it.
Stage 4: intense second-guessing
Once I commit to the parts that are working, I start fleshing them out and bringing them to life
All while constantly second-guessing every single one of my decisions, of course.
Stage 5: Cautious acceptance of awesomeness
Eventually, I look at all the work I’ve done — all the things I’ve created from nothing — and realize it’s actually pretty cool. I really am able to make something good.
Then I panic, knowing I have to present my work to the person paying me. Who knows if they’ll love it or hate it?
Be Afraid (No, really)
You’ll notice there’s one consistent theme throughout these five stages: fear.
Fear in some form exists almost constantly when I’m creating something. And that’s OK.
It’s normal. It shows that I care about what I’m working on.
But over time I realized that you don’t have to “conquer” your fears.
You don’t have to face them head on or overcome them or learn a lesson from them. You can be afraid and just do things anyway.
Putting yourself out there is scary, but it’s the only way to create something great. So do the things that scare you and just be scared while you’re doing them.
Be afraid. But don’t panic. You got this.
