defining "success"

My dearest tortured composer,

I came across a quote that might help if you're feeling stuck…

Feeling behind.

Like you haven’t “made it.”

Like maybe it’d be better to toss your laptop, and all your scores, into the ocean… and change careers altogether.

It comes from Nassim Taleb:

"For I have a single definition of success: you look in the mirror every evening and wonder if you disappoint the person you were at 18, right before the age when people start getting corrupted by life.

Let him or her be the only judge—not your reputation, not your wealth, not your standing in the community, not the decorations on your lapel.

If you do not feel ashamed, you are successful. All other definitions of success are fragile modern constructions."

That, my dear tortured composer, can be the fuel that keeps you going.

It’s easy to look around, at your old classmates, your siblings, your LinkedIn friends, and start comparing.

Maybe it’s the doctor in your family who gets the biggest piece of dessert at Christmas.

Or that peer from school who just released their third feature film score.

Or worse… it’s the people with normal jobs. Big salaries. Big houses. Big… confusion about why anyone would want to write string quartets.

And you think, “Did I make a mistake?”

There’s a clip of Jerry Seinfeld talking to a young comedian about this exact feeling.

The kid asks if Seinfeld ever worries about keeping up with his friends.

Seinfeld looks like he wants to puke.

He tells the kid that Doing the comedy… that’s the reward.

So let me ask you:

Did you get into composing so you could look cool on Instagram?

Are you chasing some image? Or did you feel called, obsessed even, to make something beautiful?

And if you’re feeling a little bitter about your friends on Facebook posting work trips to Dubai while you're eating oatmeal over a MIDI keyboard and reading some email from a stranger on the Internet…

I have one simple tactic from one of the greatest movies of all time: The Godfather.

You know those people you’re jealous of?

You could just murder them.

(Kidding. Please don’t do that. This is not legal or financial advice.)

But seriously, you can drop the comparison.

Think about your 18-year-old self.

The one who got goosebumps hearing music that made you say, “I have to do this.”

Do you think that version of you would be ashamed of where you are now?

If you’re still writing or trying or thinking about it…

I kinda doubt he’d be upset, bud.

Most people bury their desires. Most people never even answer the call.

So if you’re still in the fight…

Don’t quit.

Just a little fire for your inbox today.

My 18-year-old self would be proud I wrote this.

So I’ll call that a success.

And always remember…

The world waits for your music…

-Luke


At Tortured Composer's Society, it's our mission to create and provide a community that helps you live a more creative and fulfilling life as a composer. When Tortured Composer's Society was established, we wanted to make the community an inclusive, welcoming table where everyone can come to overcome their creative blocks and thrive as composers! We will always aim to get better at what we do every single day! In addition, our primary focus is on our relationship with you. This way every time you hang out with us, you end up getting an idea that takes your compositions to the next level. We particularly appreciate when our following provides feedback via testimonials, reviews, and comments left on our site or social media accounts. Because with that feedback, we can use it to make your next newsletter even better than the last! Since we put so much effort into the relationship with you, we hope that any investment in us is exactly the way you hoped it would be. Because by choosing to go with Tortured Composer's Society, it's our promise that we provide a community you will fall in love with over and over again. Now, as much as we care about making the world more musical and more creative, we also care about your privacy. We're committed to the right to your privacy and strive to provide a safe and secure user experience. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, store and use personal information, provided by you on our website. It also explains important information that ensures we won't abuse the information that you provide to us in good faith. By accessing and using our website, you can trust that what you want to be kept private, will be kept private. If at any time, you would like to read our Privacy Policy and get a better understanding of your rights and liabilities under the law. Feel free to visit our site, find the privacy policy in the footer and read it. If there is something you are concerned about or wish to get more clarity on, please let us know by contacting us at [email protected]. The Privacy Policy also informs you of how to notify us to stop using your personal information. If you wish to view our official policies, please visit our website TorturedComposers.com