A couple days ago, I started practicing on the Golden Ears Training CDs after nearly a month of practicing with my own patch (which I’ve talked about previously).
I did terrible at it. And I didn’t get much better yesterday.
Still smarting from that, I started working on my trailer project today, only to blow a whole morning unsuccessfully trying to create a realistic-sounding glissando with string samples.
So… An article about bouncing back from setbacks feels like something we BOTH need.
While some are blessed with a natural resilience to life’s jabs, for anyone who struggles with self-doubt, even a sucker-punch can knock you badly off-course.
Without the right approach, we can sit and stew in the heavy feelings of disappointment and frustration, which just makes it harder to get back up again.
In the past, I would vent my frustration at other people and circumstances. In the end though, I had to face the practical truth: This was my mess, and no one but me was going to clean it up.
Another temptation is to follow the adage of ‘taking a break’. But if your mind is your enemy, THIS IS A BAD IDEA. It only gives your brain more time to churn uselessly against itself.
Fortunately, there are some things I’ve learned that DO help. A quick caveat though:
What I’ve learned about managing myself wouldn’t have been possible without fostering a certain level of self-reflection. So look into that if you find yourself snapping before you can apply the tips below.
Reframe, and Move On. I underlined the second half, because it’s one thing to see your errors as learning opportunities, another to pivot and move on ASAP.
Doing so is critical to limit your exposure to harsh thoughts that make it harder to refocus.
Remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing (and ask related questions). The purpose behind your project is the source of your motivation, so it’s always worth returning to when that wavers.
And if a major pivot is needed, it’s from this place that you’ll want to ask the big questions needed to innovate a solution to your dilemma.
Set yourself up for a win. For example, I usually switch to something I know I’ll do better at, like DJing simple transitions or practicing piano melodies.
This draw your brain away from the negative self-talk and into feeling like you’re progressing again.
Try a different approach. If you have to prioritize the task that’s frustrating you, try a different method of getting the same result.
For example, There’s many ways I can raise the tension in my song trailer that doesn’t require a string glissando.
Breathe into the frustration. There’s scientific evidence that indicates we can detach from self-flagellating habits when we observe these thoughts and feelings without judgement.
Obviously though, it helps if you have some prior experience with meditation or other forms of mindfulness training. Trust me, it’s worth looking into.
Distract yourself with physical exercise. It’s a better alternative to breaking everything in your house/workplace.
Keep hitting the problem until at least some progress has been made. Ever heard the phrase, ‘never go to bed angry?’
Going to bed with unresolved issues can cause negative feelings to fester.
Likewise, stopping the project when you don’t feel you’ve made progress can amplify negative feelings. Try to get at least a little further than when you started the day.
You might notice I’ve been focusing on eliminating negative thinking. And if that’s not your problem, nice! The biggest threat to your progress is already handled.
But if you DO tend to beat yourself up, even a little, try to address that first. Because limiting thoughts hurt your motivation, and nothing is more important than that.
Credits:
‘Black Claw Hammer on Brown Wooden Plank’ by Pixabay on Pexels
‘Grayscale Photography of Man Holding Boxer’s Hand Inside Battle Ring’ by Skitterphoto on Pexels
‘Woman in Black Tank Top and Black Shorts Carrying Black Leather Handbag’ by cottonbro from Pexels
‘Woman in Gray Shirt Sitting Beside Man’ by Kampus Production from Pexels
Woman in White Shirt Sitting on Brown Rock Formation’ by cottonbro from Pexels