If you’re doing something for somebody else and they don’t like your work, remember: “it’s not your outcome.”
But David, what about caring about the work that matters?
Work that matters is a mindset and a behavior. It’s deciding to create and ship work that was built with intention and care. The work (whatever it is) was built with someone in mind - “here, I made this for you, I hope it helps.”
At the point in which the work is accepted, it' is no longer in our hands. The outcome, the response, is owned by the person we are serving; and their response is theirs.
You can’t make your audiences love your originals;
You can’t lead the horse and make it drink;
You can’t make people vote your way; and
You can’t fight city hall.
But you can:
Develop and ship an idea to an audience;
Engage your audience while you’re writing your music - “hey, does this thing I’m doing resonate with you?”;
Help your neighbor and seek to understand their beliefs and worldview; and you can,
Act.
Don’t get lost in how someone received the outcome. Your work isn’t always going to resonate.
Focus on getting back up, re-working your work, and shipping again.
It’s not your outcome, it’s your work that matters.
