Self Confidence - Believe in Yourself

Self confidence is critical, heres how to believe in yourself and your songwriting today with a lesson from hit songwriter Hugh Prestwood.

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I attended a seminar where Hugh Prestwood gave a songwriting lesson and an explanation of his process of songwriting. Every songwriter is different and each has unique processes to write with.

Hugh is a very successful writer who usually takes three to four weeks to write a song. He usually doesn't co-write. Many pro songwriters write many more songs than that. Question always is, how many great songs?

He described how he wrote and produced his demos in his home studio. However he also had some very interesting comments about self doubt.

He explained that often he would go through a stage in a song's development where he would doubt the song and his ability to write. He also said this is a normal part of the process.

A light went on for me!. Its normal to feel self doubt about songwriting!. It was like a huge load off my mind. Here I thought it was just me that had those feelings. When I thought about it, it made me laugh. Seems pretty straight forward but I hadn't realized it. Do you have periods where you doubt your songwriting ability and feel like its hopeless? Do you ever feel you should just admit that you're not a great writer and just get on with a normal life. Well now you can relax. Its normal and part of the process.

Hugh also said something else that rang true with me. He indicated that in addition there were times he felt like he was a hot songwriter and he would finish a song and listen to it over and over again. Just wallow in his creation.

Have you ever played your song over and over again? So many times that it's embarrassing to admit your wallowing habits to your family and friends? Guess what? I think that is normal too.

Life goes in circles, so does your songwriting and how you feel about it. Understanding that self-doubt cycles occur and not getting upset about it is freeing.

Your self confidence has mood swings so don't worry about it anymore! Just try to enjoy all you can and keep writing.