ARE YOU KEEPING YOURSELF FROM GETTING THAT FIRST SONG RECORDED?

I’ve been reading a book called “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of “Eat, Pray, Love”. In the first few pages of the book, Ms. Gilbert writes, “If you argue for your limitations, you get to keep them.” That hit me squarely between the eyes. I can’t count the number of times in the past that I have done exactly that. “I can’t play basketball”. “I’m no good at art.” “My songs aren’t good enough to play for anyone.” By defending my weaknesses, I strengthened them. I made them true. I can’t play basketball if I won’t play basketball. I won’t get a song cut if I don’t ever play them for anyone. The list goes on and on.

Turns out, I’m ok at basketball and it’s fun to play, I am decent at painting abstracts, and my songs are good enough to play for people. Who knew? The only thing that changed for me was getting rid of the debilitating fear that had held me hostage for years. I was afraid to do much of anything unless I was guaranteed success. I was a perfectionist and a coward. 

I don’t know which one or maybe both. When I finally decided that the pain I was feeling from not doing things was greater than the pain of trying and failing, I was set free. Not instantly. Not magically. Day by day. Courageous choice by courageous choice – I changed me.

In the days since, I have failed a lot. And I mean a lot. And failure wasn’t fatal. In fact, most of the time, it was a great learning experience that led me to some other type of success. Most of the good things I have experienced in life have come from taking chances and being courageous. I’m not turning back. If you have defended your limitations, I challenge you to choose courage over fear. You don’t have to quit your job and become a songwriter but step out. Play your music for people. Take chances on co-writes. Do those things that scare you most. Don’t expect it to happen over night or even in your first year but trust me, you try your best, and it will eventually happen. Defy your self-imposed limitations and live.

Author

Hangi Tavakoli is our in-house established and professional music producer with more than 17 years of experience in songwriting, music production, mix and mastering. He has produced more than 3,000 and written more than 4,800 published songs to-date, including some major hits in international scale.