Pay Attention to Your Reaction to Feedback, Not the Feedback Itself
Some artists are torn apart by feedback.
Writers read and remember those one star reviews on Amazon. Chefs obsess over the latest food critic’s write-up about their restaurant. Movie producers let box office reactions taint their view of their ability to create movies.
So, how do you deal effectively with feedback as an artist?
Will Toledo of Car Seat Headrest has a simple method to find out if his songs are good or not and — contrary to a lot of advice for artists — he bases it on the reaction of others rather than the “inner Muse.”
Feedback from a Friend
After Toledo records a song, he gives it to a friend. That friend listens and share her reaction.
Now, while most people would focus on the feedback itself, Toledo looks inward instead.
If his friend says it sucks and he gets offended then it probably isn’t very good. In other words, if he takes it personally then the song is probably connecting with an inner fear that he is a fraud and no good at music. His friend confirms something Toledo already knows: that this particular song isn’t working.
If instead his friend says that the song sucks and Toledo knows he is wrong, then it’s probably good and just needs a little work. That feedback from his friend will be received constructively and he can go back and make the song better.
The Artist’s Mindset
The struggling artist tortured by inner demons needs to become a myth of the past. A successful artists let’s that inner struggle be a guide. When an artist’s personal confidence is put in question, then there may really be some truth to the criticism. When, instead, the artist let’s negative feedback improve the art, something good will be created instead.
Believe in your art and believe in yourself. Let feedback fuel you forward to create something new and better than before.
Inspired by Will Toledo’s interview with Brian Koppelman on The Moment podcast. Listen here.
