Songwriting & Beyond…

The title may sound a little harsh… but it hits home on many levels.

After reading an email from a subscriber (BTW her name is Nicole - hello Nicole of you’re reading) I had to address something. This post is important for several things in life - not just songwriting. I hope you stay with me on this one - and I’d love to know your thoughts after you’ve read it.

Sometimes, in life we hold back because ‘lack of confidence’. We hold back because we’re afraid of embarrassment. Quite often, we get nervous and anxious. We dread to avoid disappointment. The bottom line is, we are SCARED. We have an innate reaction in our nano-second culture for the feeling of ‘fear’. This usually takes over ‘love and joy’ for the most part.

Have you ever been afraid to put down your DEEPEST emotions on paper and then presenting them to the world? I know I have. Have you ever you been afraid to write a song about something SO personal? So personal that you feel you’d feel embarrassed if you played it to your friends, family and the genera public?

Of course we all feel this way. But I’m going to say something now that may shock a lot of people…

You are HOLDING BACK your BEST work by doing this! Seriously. Take a good look at most of the mega successful artists/bands in the world (those who write their own stuff). They all have one thing in common… they’ve written songs with complete conviction. How? Because it’s personal. VERY personal sometimes. They weren’t afraid, so why should you be?

These artists have gone on to dominate the world with their music and their message. All because they put ASIDE their fear and just WENT for it. Do you recognize any of these faces?

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Listen, I’m no exception. I too, have fears. All sorts, in fact. But I’m trying my very best day by day, to step OUT of this dreaded ‘comfort zone’ and GROW as an writer and as a person. And I do this by thinking about the fruitful results it will bring. Not the fear and the embarrassment.

If you’re going to play the role of a person who thinks from an ‘abundance, love and joy’ perspective then you’re going to create magic with your material. I can almost guarantee it. You’ll be fearless with your music and lyrics - you’ll write stuff that you LOVE.

And guess what? When you do this, OTHERS resonate with it. They relate to it. Because they believe that you’ve been there. The audience believe that your songs are the truth - and they resonate *with that truth*.

No ‘buts’ or ‘what ifs’. Listen, every single successful songwriter faces the battle of being belittled and is nearly AWAYS taken a shot at. The difference is they focus on the joy they bring to people with their music. NOT the frustrations or embarrassment. They focus on the joy and the connection - NOT the fear of failure.

And now you can do the same…

Shamir