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; andYou 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.

Last modified on 2022-08-18