What if you only focused on all the best things...

[asiabackpacker]

....that people said about you?I've been getting a lot of TAXI critiques lately. I've been submitting aggressively, and using the service right now, largely to grow as a songwriter from all the feedback I've been getting. It's been tremendously helpful so far. But I just did something that's been even more helpful than the critiques themselves. Each critique seems to be about 10 percent about things I am doing really well, and about 90% areas where I can grow and improve. Needless to say, while this is really helpful, it can also be frustrating at times.So I went through every critique I've gotten from TAXI so far, and cut out the positives, and pasted only those into a new document. I realized that the positives are really overwhelming, when looked at on their own, and how important it is to remember that while I am working to get better, I am already doing a lot really well!It's made me realize how important it is to build my self-image based on all the most encouraging things people say about me, and of course all the most positive things I believe about myself!Now all the most positive feedback I've received on my song-writing hangs on the wall in my room as a reminder of that I've already become great at what I do, and everything else is just about improving on that! Allowing myself to shift my focus is not only very eye-opening, but also very encouraging. I was going to paste all my positive feedback below, but it feels like bragging Hopefully this post will encourage others that aren't already doing so to focus on what they're already doing really well!-Elliott

[ibanez468]

Hey asiabackpacker,I think that's a nice excercise you have going for yourself, and if it's been helpful to you, then I think it's a good idea. Might you also want to consider printing a list of all the things that need improving as well? IMHO, those would be the things that would need the most focusing on, as you're already comfortable with the things that you do well. Having 2 lists to look at might help remind you at the moment that you're engaged in composing, recording, etc... that... "HEY, I need to take a look at this area of my compositions that I'm a little weaker at, and focus on that so it gets a little attention, and I can improve on one more aspect of my overall production." Then you start to narrow it all down, and pretty soon, there's nothing to focus on that had been a problem in the past, but now you focus on getting even better at the things that were a problem in the past, along with getting even better at the things that were never much of a problem in the first place (does that make any sense?). It's all one heck of a process, but you seem to be on your way from what I hear. This place has definitely made me open my eyes alot more, after listening to all of the amazing talent that's out here. I feel like I've been in my own little cave here in the midwest. I've been pleasantly surprised by the abundance of great talent that exists in other parts of the world. It's forced me to step my game up, BIG time (or at least try)! That means I have to take a real good, long, hard look at everything I'm doin' & puttin' into a tune, cause I realize everybody else is doin' the same. Just my .02. Keep pumpin' 'em out!ibanez468

[stevev]

Life (and Taxi) is kind of a Yin and Yang type thing....the good comes out of the bad and the bad comes out of the good. It's always nice (and usually easier) to look at positive things and let the not so positive things go unnoticed. But if you've got three good tires and one bad one it doesn't go overlooked for long.I'm new, so I'm sure I'll have plenty of 'bad' to look at. I'm just hoping I'll have some positives to cut and paste!!Steve V

[asiabackpacker]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Maybe I should clarify....I guess I'm just realizing I need to find more balance because ALL of my focus has been on areas for improvement. All my focus has been on what I can do better, and on becoming a better songwriter.Something I tend to do a lot is to put all my energy and all my focus into what I have yet to learn and what opportunities I still have for growth. My focus is almost always on the road ahead, whether it is in relationship to my growth as a person, my career, or in this case my music. Looking at my opportunities for growth isn't really a problem....it's kind of my obession... What's is a challenge for me is taking a step back to appreciate what I'm already doing really well, and appreciating the road I've traveled on already.Making this list to really appreciate what I'm already doing well feels like a big step forward, and just as valuable for me, as looking at the negatives... I guess I'm just starting to realize the importance of having appreciation for what I'm already doing really well, in addition to looking at ways I can improve....in music and in everything I do in life...-e