The Compliment List
Matthew Dicks, in his book Someday Is Today, which I have talked about a bunch here on the blog, mentions keeping a compliment list. What are the nice things people have said about you? He frames it as a tool for writers.
Artistically, it is so easy to concentrate on the negative and the ALL the bad feedback you get. I do not know why that is. I think it is true for everyone, but it is especially red hot if you are an artist. Often-but hopefully only sometimes-you end up playing to the person who likes you the least.
I kind-of covered that a few days ago — you always want to win that person over. The person in the back. The one that is scowling. The ex-girlfriend you want to prove something to. Or the guy who punched you in the face. Maybe being the greatest rock and roller in the world really sticks it to him, even though he has probably forgotten all about you. (So to Thomas Gomez, who punched me in the face, in the sixth grade, all of this is for you.)
You want to keep a compliment list. Trust me. People will send you texts, or you will get emails. Whatever. Make the conscious effort to listen to those people and keep going. It is probably some of the best advice I have ever read.
Do it.
It is on my phone, in my notes, in my music folder. I do not return to it much, but I should. I got something last week from somebody that needs to go in there. AI will save it, because it matters.
Especially now. Making music these days can be really isolating, when there is no need to go to a studio, and you are too old for a band. Too old for a band. I forget who said it, but it is kind of true: bands are for kids. And I am no kid.
So when someone does catch what you're doing and says something nice, memorialize it-however quiet this celebration is. It's a win, and you need to collect them.