Confidence required

Confidence can sometimes be thought of as arrogance. It's that "I'll do it" attitude that I've used to get where I'm at.

Usually most people don't have that attitude and end up admiring those that do.

Confidence doesn't always mean financial success either.

even if your/our confidence is misplaced and leads to mistakes - that's the best way to learn.

How do you build confidence?

(exhales, purple faced)

whew! thank god you're back. These little reminders are a much needed shot in the arm, and I've been holding my breath in anticipation since your last post!

Thank you for this. It is, as usual, exactly what I needed to bump into today!

An old friend kicked me in the butt a few years ago and said "just do it!". This started my musical journey and leaves me here today. It's been a great ride so far, thx for a bit more inspiration. I'm a late bloomer they say, but it's never to late to follow your dreams.

I think this is a Henry Ford quote which seems appropriate:

" Can do.....can't do... either way you're right"

I have to agree that while there are a lot of tools and advice out there, the most important ones are your confidence and inspiration. Without this, everything else tumbles down. Working on your confidence is just as important as working out a good mailing schedule, writing the best-structured promotional material or using the latest content management system. This is the personal fuel that comes first, and the rest of your efforts just follow.

Some people have confidence when they shouldn't. Others don't have it when they should.

I think the tense may be skewed... it makes more sense to me this way... :-)

I have to choose. No one else can choose for me. :-)

*******************

"Yes! Of course! It’s the essential final lesson: that all this learning means nothing until I make something happen.


Whether I think you'll win or not - I need to jump in the game, and say, “Let’s go!”


Whether my confidence is naïve, inspired or crafted - I need its high-horsepower engine to get uphill and go anywhere."

It's so many things: confidence, knowledge,
luck, being too dumb to be afraid. It's hard
to define: an amorphous, diaphanous thing.
Bottom line is that tired cliche.... go for it.

YES!!

Thanks Derek! It's nice to know I'm not alone in the "what was I thinking" category. I closed a business in June and started something new right away. The new venture is gaining some momentum, but I can't get out of my own way thinking about the spectacular flaming failure I just endured. It's a scary place to be, and it's easy to hide, especially when the new office is at home. I've been feeling stuck-thanks for the push!

It's as simple as the old saw :"If you don't believe in yourself nobody else will." Enthusiasm is infectious and creates a power of it's own people around you can feel. Great article

Confidence with a lucky streak, a break here and there, but, if you're not in the game how can you succeed? Failure is part of the learning process.
Hey, it took the light-bulb man a thousand tries before he had the eureka moment and saw the light.
I wish everyone their eureka moment.
Cheers!

In many there is an inner core of toxic shame left over from childhood, that could be represented by the little voice in your head that says "...you`re not good enough, or what a silly idea...", etc... Confidence born out of self-love and self-knowledge is vital to strive for. Sure, to all you say - I agree.

It reminds me how many disciplines a successful musician has to work on. Most of the time, being a great player, or great reader isn`t, in and of itself, enough these days. I think the contemporary musician needs to be informed of psychology in order to know thyself and respectfully manage others; IT to be able to communicate or be an equal player in today`s high-tech world (how else could you have succeeded with CDBaby without the technical know-how?); business savvy in order to adequately understand contract law, sales, book-keeping/tax reporting, marketing and promotion; perhaps even nutritionist or medical info to help avoid the pitfalls of bad diet and lack of exercise that can cut a promising career short - geez - it`s simply not enough to play/write your ass off! When will the serious musician be allotted the same amount of respect our leaders of science and technology are? Milton Babbitt has some humorous and true words on this subject. Anyway, my two cents for now is yeah - don`t be afraid - fear nothing!

Malcolm Gladwell says you need 10,000 hours to be a true master of your craft.If when I spent years in the studio with major artists if I didn't show a certain confidence in my work I never would have made it in the door.
These Days we are lacking masters of the craft of music.That's why the msuci is lacking these days
Peace, Jason

I am just getting ready to record and engineer my first solo vocal track. Your email

When I learned to fly, I was working on landings and encountered my first crosswind. NOTHING worked as I expected, though I had been taught all the techniques and mechanics. I learned recently that I have a mild form of austism called "Aspergers Syndrome," so I was fighting that, too. An instructor said "Just do anything you have to do to get the plane on the ground straight." That's all I needed--to focus on the goal. Everything else falls in place.

Flawed, compromised, and not quite as good as they could be are qualities shared by some of the most impressive human beings.

Confidence means accepting that your best is all you can give, and despite that being less than perfect, trusting that it might just be good enough.

Confidence comes from con (= with) and fide (= faith). Not necessarily religious faith but trust in your intent, your aim and your methods.

Do not compare yourself to others, or you will become either vain, or bitter. I don't know who said that, but it wasn't me, and you know what? I have the confidence not to care ;-)

Without mistakes, we would never evolve. Take confidence that you will inevitably make a few more during your life! But please, enjoy the process and continue to share your insights with others.
best wishes!

I am just getting ready to record and engineer my first solo vocal track. The timing of your email is almost spooky! Thanks for reminding me that all things are possible!

It takes confidence to SEE CLEARLY and abandon a "pet" project. There are some ideas that will never produce anything of value, no matter how much confidence is applied. American Idol contestants, take note. :)

I am just getting ready to record and engineer my first solo vocal track. The timing of your email is almost spooky! Thanks for reminding me that all things are possible!

You've written one for me! Thank you for your candidness!
love and namaste,
India

According to aerodynamics experts, the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly. The bumblebee doesn't know this, so flies anyway.

LOVE your honesty to the core Derek and if you don't know what a genius you are, I've got the confidence to rant 'n rave about how much of one you are! Yes, in my 20's confidence got me work that I didn't have a clue how to do even tho I was shitten bricks under the confident mask, but I knew I could do it and learned after the fact with a drive that pushed me to go to the edge. Now, confidence is like an "inner knowing"; a trusting that it's my birthright purpose and I have learned to let go of controlling the outcome that wasted a lot of energy, that is, if I pushed too hard to make it work, more walls were created, but if I patiently took the time to receive the next step, natural time took over and my confidence became stable and grounded opposed to a spiraling upwards that spun out the entire team; yes confidence and an inner knowing from a peaceful place has changed my whole view on what success is in following my dreams and making it happen; "if you wanna go fast, go alone, if you wanna go far, go together." Stay rockin' Derek!

Whether you think you'll win or not - you need to jump in the game, and say, “Let’s go!”


For me, confidence is built by having a few wins and really learning from the losses. It takes a while and having some experiences behind me to build on has been incredibly helpful.

Thanks Derek for always putting it out there for us to share in and learn from.

I sense the much-needed Muckwork is about to manifest, to which I say...

... make like the giant tick-mark shoe seller and Sir Branson says!

I think that any entrepreneur that strives to succeed needs at least two qualities : courage and a well developped sens of organisation.

As for the rest of it, i think one has to remember that the path is the destination. Fun shouldn't only come at the end; it should be there form start to finish.

Thanks for sharing!

Cheers from beautiful Montréal,
Sylvain

You hit the nail on the head, Derek. One cannot be an entrepreneur without confidence. It is the ability to look risk straight in the eye and say, "I can beat you. I'll find a way." It's not cockiness or arrogance. It is the willingness to take risk.

I say this because I know an extremely talented person, and artist and a baker, but every time he begins on the road to running his own business, some idiot tells him, "Oh, you can't make it doing that," and he stops dead in his tracks. In the meantime, as an artist and a baker working for others, he makes a monetary pittance.

So, to me, it doesn't matter whether you really know what you are doing or not--If you don't have confidence, you can't even get started.

Success is falling down 8 times and getting up 9. --Anon.

this is exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you. (I have my YC interview in 2 hours).

Fortune favors the bold. - Virgil

Make a good decision if you can.
Make a bad decision if you must.
But make it decisively, and act.

I would rather die of thirst than drink from the cup of mediocrity. - Anon

All great men are extreme. Moderation is the motto of the mediocre. - Anon


Knowing is not enough, you must do. - Bruce Lee

It's not who you are inside by which you'll be judged. It's what we DO, that defines us. - Batman

We do not live in the past. We do not live in the future. We live in the NOW. Now is the only moment we have any power over. Skill is required, but the will must be greater than the skill. When the best laid plans go awry and the most painstaking preparations are frustrated, it is only will that can carry the day. For this reasons the Spartans practiced 8 nighter trainings, exhaustion, gradual witholding of food and water, coupled with sleep deprivation and intense training, meant only to exhaust the men, for any army can win with a fresh pair of legs, but it's when the humor turns to sullen stares and all resources are depleted, that boys are separated from the men and have to produce victory through will alone.

The student of his art, however diligent, often errors fundamentally. In the book "Gates of Fire" Stephen Pressfield made this statement & remedy: "Less philosophy! More Virtue!" (less talk and dry arm chair speculation, more ACTION!)

Providence without action, yields no fruit. - Vedic saying

This confidence thought and the posts are fabulous. Yeah, you look at people like Richard Branson or see the movie "Catch Me If You Can" and I get the feeling we're all talking about of going for any and all dreams in my life. The obvious fine line is staying away from illegal things but of course many folks don't even do that. In any event...the "go for it" feeling is probably my favorite feeling I have EVER had. It leads to astounding results.

I like you, Derek; I'm making it a point to meet you, personally, someday. You are so right-on about confidence; I am confident and positive, and it works! I have a very powerful motivation: Our children need our help--Millions of Them! See: Interview With A Psychiatrist; Slavery Today In The U.S.A. Episode 1 or 8 is: Human Atrocity American Style.

A friend of mine works in upper-division for HP. One day he asked his Supervisor about the interview process: "What's the difference between interviewing someone from Stanford University and Boise State University?" The Supervisor answered in one word: "Confidence."

One of my Professors graduated from Stanford University; he made it quite clear in pointing out that a student can get the same Liberal Arts Degree at Boise State University as received at Stanford University.

Go ahead; put me up against someone from Stanford University; make my day!!

Make it happen!!!

Besides; Boise State University's football team is one of the highest rated in the U.S.A.; and, BSU's Debate Team is the highest rate in the U.S.A.--#1. And they did it with confidence.

Confidence is currently building multimedia creations at:
BoyingtonRadioProductions.

Sincerely,
David A. Boyington
Radio Producer

Always a great reminder! Thanks DS!

DEREK SIVERS....how timely your post!!!

...entreprenuer: "a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, esp. a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk." dictionary.com

Gut and instinct guides the true entreprenuer. ...a lot of hard work, determination....and a mentor or (2) .... helps that entrepreneur ACHIEVE.

Once the track is set it is usually based on knoweledge acquired....from then on forward ... not time to question... just do it! ... hasn't that phrase been coined?

MMMMhhhHMMmmmmm!!!!!

~rhonda LOS ANGELES, CALI

Create something out of nothing: art. I dropped out of MBA school this fall 'coz the learnin' got in the way of the doin' -- which was inspired by a speaker during the for-credit entrepreneur course who, understanding the irony, said, "You can't learn this (entrepreneurship) through books or classes; you need to live it."
Cool. Good move. Definitely doing is the best teacher, but reading some of the great business books can give you amazing insights that years of just-doing might never have taught you. But some $20 books can teach you everything a MBA curriculum will. — Derek

ps ... haven't heard from you in a while DEREK!

WELCOME BACK!

Right on, Derek!

"Who needs humility when you're the best!" My old man. (And yes, we are the best at what we do, a fact that irks no end of people.)
Humility is a word losers use to make excuses for their own inadequacies. Neither the fighting cock, nor the great white eagle, nor the majestic lion, nor the silent tiger, nor deadly king cobra, are known for their humility. All beings strive for the heights, it is the weak who cry humility, translating only as their plea to be tread lightly upon, and the prerogative of those who stand in awe of no one, to be gentle to lessers, or not.


"Heroes, idols, are a thing to be trampled beneath one's feet" - Miyamoto Musashi. (Musashi did not believe in idolizing others, but in exceeding them by miles.)

"The difference between arrogance and confidence is arrogance attempts to take credit for abilities you do not actually possess, whereas confidence is taking pride in abilities you actually have, abilities you've earned through hard work". Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Hey, "Screw it, Let's do it" I say that all the time. It resulted in a PHD, 26 indie blues rock albums, one book of lyrics, two political philosophy books, and 4 chapter length articles in major academic journals. Hey, "Let's Go" I wrote a song entitled that. It appears on my album "Blues Symphony" now available at Cdbaby.

Confidence! confidence! confidence! Yeah, Derek, You stimulated my mind again, for you made a point.

We need confidence to undertake and achieve our dreams. But you see, that word 'Confidence' has been a subject of much debate. Some people think it's being arrogant. No, confidence isn't arrogance.

When you believe in what you know within you and believe in putting what you know to getting what you want, you are not being arrogant. You are just being confident.

In MOST cases, both the one who fails and the one who succeeds all have confidence at some point in time. Of course, Mr. V was so confident until he fell on his face. And Mr. was equally confident and made it through.

What am saying here? That confidence is natured. That confidence is mastered. That confidence is educated or informed.

One's confidence is based upon what one knows. Even the ignorant could be confident until he realizes that he knows just little.

Confidence is the energy given birth to by ardent desire but which must be well informed with the kind of knowledge it needs to achieve the goals, the projects, the dreams embedded by that desire.

The 'confidence' could be there but with poor information, it could lead to poor execution and failure. This reminds me with what the bible says "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVE ME STRENGTH" (Philippians 4v13). This encourages the believer to be confident in but with the supply of information-the word- coming from Christ within.

So have confidence in yourselves, in your abilities, in your dreams but be sure that your plans are updated with the information they need to make them successful.

Because those who failed, who never made it; who want to retake it all over again were, sometime, those who had confidence inadequately natured.

God bless Derek

Great work. I see you have alot of followers. You should go into management. But we can talk about that telepathically. Real nice reading your post today. Leaps and bounds all the way to heaven's sunrise. Beautiful. Thank you.
-william

Derek, to recognise deeply our mistakes mak, es you strong,improving your wisdom in life Path. Searching for your innerly voice that is hidden in your heart( the criativity and love dimension) will give you your answers. Changing values, attitudes and consciousness helps a lot for the discovery of ourselves. I believe you are in the Path. Do not give up ever!!!
with love and musically yours, Anaya

Love is full of confidance....fear stops all sorts of wondrous possibilities ....

Love your blog Derek ...glad your back!

"I was an over-confident punk, thinking I had the answer, and everyone else didn’t."

...and they DIDN'T!

entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem

...or something like that

Sometimes you just need to get going - whether confident or not. Waiting for confidence to come keeps you waiting and waiting and waiting... then you're dead.

Confidence (certainty in its many forms) is very compelling to what we call "the universe." And when we finally couple deep self honesty, humility, AND honesty...powerful! Wonderfully spoken. Thanks.

I teach 250 kids music/songwriting (ages 3-12) and they write awesome music because they are confident, genuine, having fun, and their inner critic is not yet developed.. at least not to the degree of adults it seems. Also, they have great intentions- they are not thinking, can I make money off of this-will this be a hit-will I get rich, attention, success- they are just having a ball... and they write HITS! I think to be child-like & genuine & to not listen to your inner critic or anyone elses is really helpful in the music biz in general. I think confidence is knowing you can be a channel for creative genius, and so can everyone you are helping- arrogance is thinking you are the channel and no one else should be.. I love your articles, Derek! I finallllllly am getting this year what you always say about not waiting for someone to discover you.. and to make what you want happen. I'm make the music videos I always dreamed of making on MTV from home.. and I'm sooo happy! Thanks a million. You've touched my life. I tell everyone about you.. and forward your marketing PDf to everyone- even business people not in music biz. xo

You know it is a funny thing, I am a kind person and really never cause anyone harm or pain .Until I start promoting myself and my music and people around me call me a cocky sort.Yet in their lives they do not have what it takes to really succeed,I feel as though they might be a little jealous.Not because my songs are better than The Beatles,not that I am better looking than Brad Pitt.It is because I never surrender to my dream.My dream is my bliss.You are here to live your bliss.I do not know why they fear me so?...TOTAL CONFIDENCE..PERSISTENCE..TENACITY..A STICK TO IT ATTITUDE.

Wise thoughts, Derek! What I struggle with, is a growing lack of confidence in what I am doing, because it's so damn hard to reach out and actually get attention from new music lovers. Whenever I get response from a listener, it's positive and encouraging. However, it's so hard to sell music these days, and I experience that I have to spend three evening working hard to promote my music in order to sell one CD. I have spent too much money on printing CD's and shipping free copies to radio stations and web sites, without seeing any results. I have also spent too much time trying AdWords, discussion lists, direct emails, last.fm, ilike,com, you name it - only to end up with a lack of confidence in what I am doing.

When I sit down and sort things out, I realize that I have no need to lose faith in my own music. I am doing a mistake if I confuse the lack of luck and ability in promoting my music with my musical talent and creativeness. So, what I am trying to do right now, is to keep on believing in myself and my music - and also to accept that I will one day have to put all those CD's in the back of my car and drive them to the dunghill...

Or, I could spend my last cash to hand over the promotion to someone who knows how to do it?

Nothing would ever get done in this world if we have to wait for the approval and agreement of those around us, especially the experts who know it all.

You are to be commended. You have taken in knowledge and grew, and that is what life is truly about; for knowledge is more valuable than silver or gold.

MY CONVERSATION WITH GEORGE BENSON,
AT HIS HOME IN ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS.
(From Realizations: Poetry And Writings Of A Depressed Urban American Minority Poet,
copyright 1983 BenPasley)

"George" I said, as I admired the splendor of the wealth surrounding me, "this is exactly what I want, this is where I want to be".

"Well tell me " George replied, "No let me ask you a question, just how much is it do you think I'm worth?", and when he asked me this, I just looked around, feeling sort of like a canary on an eagles perch.

Because of all the gold, the platinum albums and cassettes I saw surrounding me, I just answered that I had no idea, feeling about as humble as I could be.

Because all I wanted was just one,platinum!?,
no, one gold anything would have been just fine, but all of what he had, had never even crossed my mind,

"Well, my accountants tell me," George said, with a soft look in his eyes, "That I'm worth about a liquid forty mill or so, more or less,
by and by".

"And you say this is what you want", George continued as I nodded my head in reply, "Well this also what I wanted and to get it, I really had to try".

"Yes I suffered a lot and I lost a lot of friends along the way, well I thought they were my friends, but they weren't and that's why they're not here with me today".

"And the ones you do see here, these are the ones who didn't ever feel they had to try and pretend, money or not, they're here now and money or not, they were here when all this began".

"And so you say this is what you want, this is where you would love to be, well let me tell you something, that all this has taught me".

"Yes this is what I wanted, what I struggled and suffered for, and now that I'm here, and I can buy almost anything in the world I want, now that I can go and do almost anything that I want to under the sun, now that I have ALL OF THIS......... I have found that the things that make me happy, money can't buy".

That evening when I left, I was a very RICH Man, for I knew that I had been blessed with knowledge and the ability to understand, that knowledge and wisdom is worth way more than any amount of silver or gold and all of this I had been blessed to learn, from the "Heart" of the Jazzman's soul.

For you see I understood, that He too had been blessed, He had been blessed with the ability to see, and me myself, I knew I had been blessed twice, with the knowledge that his journey saved me.

Ben Pasley

Confidence is the ability to experiment with a well-thought out plan and to NOT FEAR FAILURE! Failure may be expensive (in time, money and energy) but it is also a valuable business and artistic tool.

Welcome back, I've missed you. This is so weird because we've been studying the sages in my Tai Chi classes. First off they were thousands of years ago and back then they didn't have the benefit of all those recent gurus you keep mentioning all the time. They were brilliant people and the way they describe things it seems like they are talking about today's events. But the important thing is what they said. For example, destiny simply means timing, if you do something you may be successful or not strictly based on timing. In other words something you did successfully before may not be successful if you did it now and/or visa versa. So why do we worry so much about success? Do what you like doing and forget about success already. If you need to make money, do something that makes money and learn to love what you do. If you can't, then move on.

Island Frank

"If I only had the courage" said Dorothy's lion. Eventually we come to an understanding that we create our own confidence and sometimes it can be false. I was surprised when I realized with my voice coach that I had to UNLEARN a lifetime of singing and start as a child does to develop a new, authentic sense of confidence. I was also surprised when I realized with my improv coach that being real, in the moment with my audience was as much about listening and responding, not memorizing a bunch of songs and one-liners. And after all, it is a matter of strength to keep at the course you've chosen, even with set-backs. Like the song says "We all got holes to fill, some holes are all that's real, some fall on you like a storm, sometimes you dig your own."

Amen! There is something inspiring in people who take chances. Why do they dare? Because they think they can. That is the magic ingredient whether by ignorance or talent - they believe in themselves and soon enough so does everyone else.

We will always have enough books, songs, companies, ideas - so why bother at all? I bother because there is no one else like me in this entire world. No one else will write what I write, do what I do, the way I do it. I have something to contribute to this planet that I alone can offer. And so do you.

Now - what ever it is that you think you can't do or the world doesn't need, re-evaluate it based on that former statement and show the world YOU. The only you there is!

Great article Derek - btw - I've used you and CD Baby as excellent examples of doing it right. Be encouraged brother - I'm not sure what you've done wrong, but what you're doing right is obvious!
Luckily the stuff I did wrong was mostly internal, as some ex-employees could tell you. — Derek

confidence is major, sometimes you still don't make it but you have to try.

biz gurus like the ones you mention that make you feel like a court jester rather than a samurai are putting the "oxy" in oxymoron. gurus make for nice mind candy, not sure that kind of undermining of your equilibrium is good for confidence building... for enhancing the "screw it, let's do it," factor... come to think of it, do we really need biz gurus?
I do, and I've learned a TON from them. The comparison here could have been made with music, sports, or any pursuit. We need to learn from the greats, without giving up because they remind us we have so far to go. — Derek

Hey Derek, I took your earlier advice and read "Ignore Everyone," well, actually I listened to it in my car. It seems that you must have "read that before!" I have spent 50 years ignoring the advice of others, and I am very happy that I did. Now, they ask me for advice. You can imagine what direction that I point them in! I have made "all" the mistakes before, and somehow had the stupidity to keep going! Of course, we all should look at our little successes as just a corrected mistake! "Nothing is easy" is pretty much my daily admonition to myself and those that work for me.
Best wishes, I am sure that you will have others waiting to see you stumble.
Gary

Yes confidence is always required in everything u do especially jobs, work so forth. Especially in the ministry. My husband's a pastor so we carry that confidence all the time and the Lord helps us of course!

Wow. Sounds like the way that I think and where I am at now. I have been performing and teaching for the last ten years, making a decent living off of it, but I want to compose for film- you know, Hans Zimmer and all that. I think of all the obstacles; more schooling, composers studio and equipment, blah blah blah.
There is something, to the way I got into music. I got into it by just doing it. Plain and simple. Sometimes it just is that simple.

You build confidence by surviving and doing. Anything that doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Here is a quote from thoreau that is appropriate to this theme: "Whatever have been thy failures hitherto, be not afflicted my child, for who shall assign to thee what has left undone." In other words forget about what you've done, think about the vastness of what you haven't done yet!

Just what I need im about to set up my own business in evironmentally friendly clothes and products!

am going to do this!!

Derek,

Are you in my brain this week? I have been struggling to keep focus on the future of dream town media & having ambition to keep on target. Thanks for the inspiration!

M

Wow! Derek that was inspirational! Thanks for sharing. We all grow as a person and have lessons to learn, as trite as it seems. And yes, people have learn new things and then put them into action!! Time for me to get that new CD out!!

Thanks once again for a timely post Derek. I'll add my voice to the chorus of approval above. Just taken a big decision myself and the aftermath is both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. What can you do eh? The thought of lying on your death bed thinking, "If only I had really tried to...." is just a no-no. Took me a long time to wake up though ;)

That was fun. Man I laughed at your posting today. Earlier today I cried listening to a CD I recorded with our trio (now Duo) 11 years ago. It was very good. We borrowed money from one of the members fathers to do it. $25,000 to complete. What were we thinking? Sold a bunch of CDs, not enough to pay for it. 11 years later we still owe the (now deceased) father money. We "will" pay it back (to his wife of course). We have recorded 8 more CDs (not quite as expensive as the first one). They are still not quite paying for themselves but what the hell. That will happen soon. That first CD was really good. Some minor flaws for sure, but we were so young at 42. What did we know anyway as kids in the music biz? We have so much more music to do and we have the confidence to keep going at 53. Can't wait for the next gig and also get back to the studio again to record. What a blast.
Andy Duinker

you don't know what you don't know

no good deed ever goes unpunished

100 years from now, no one will know the difference

there. does that make you feel better? thanks for reaching out!

happy holidays derek!

derek-you have learned to "not" be paralyzed by too much information-learned to sift thru it-take what you need and keep moving forward-a lesson we all need to learn. am intrigued to find out about your new venture-MuckWork???
can't wait

Great Advice! Thanks Karin Paparelli for your">sive.rs/confidence#comment-17057">your comments too, they really struck a chord with me!

Just take the first step. Just do it. Confidence will come from each small success. Wisdom will come from each failure. Learn from your mistakes but don't dwell on them or let them bring you down. The only way to not make a mistake is to do nothing.

It's impossible to understand "ALL THAT IT IS". We are fragmented pieces of a larger picture, so large that we are fools.

Me thinks sometimes confidence is not the problem..the real problem is apathy...people just giving up because they feel "I have tried but nothing seems to work"

But as always Derek you shine the light for people to see.

Peace

Mataya

You haven't failed until you stop trying.

Great article Derek, this is one of the reason I've just applied the "just do it", no vcs, just bootstrapping my Business from my home office and my computer. still jung but, hey I did it, and I'm still learning a lot from it.

Thanks Derek,
Thanks to your initial drive to follow through in creating your company. You opened an opportunity for many great musical groups and artist to have their music heard. Without your determination to bypass the tradition music companies tons of great music and talent would have disappeared.
Having confidence is one thing but having confidence with no follow through all you have is confidence. What i think is important is to believe in yourself no matter what anyone else thinks. Follow your heart it doesn't lie to you.
God Bless

This is the connection to your writing that says the best idea is a very small component compared to the best execution. Being a doer, boldly with intense devotion and follow through is ticket to success.

You probably will never be able to know how much achievement that you have generated with your suggestions.

Surely it will come as no surprise that I heart this article. Whatever happened to that piano btw?
I gave my piano to my sister with two kids. — Derek

And the option is...?

Thanks for the article Derek,

The thought of 'who am I to be starting my own business' has crept into my mind on more than a few occasions, glad to hear I'm not alone!

I've realized in my short time here so far that you definitely grow by facing that which you fear, in both business and in life. Every time I've taken on a venture, whether it be a past job or recently starting my own business, that was out of my comfort zone I've been forced to succeed and have become a better person for it.

Thanks again for the article, you have a way of speaking directly to the individual reader, no matter how many readers you may have. You've got a gift!

Take care.

I am now seeing that is the one thing that many struggle with, yet ones that move ahead exert it. Thanks for the wonderful insight!

I fear drinking too much of my own kool aid. Our server is down, and I can't find the rails source to kick it back up.

I'm frozen, terrified of creative a negative impression for those who visit my site.

I'm grabbing the dev build from a few days ago and setting up my local virtualbox centos install to see if I can recreate what's causing the problem.

I started learning ruby and rails a couple of weeks ago.

What's fear?

It has been interesting reading your blog this year. You have invited us to travel with you on your soul searching journey. When I read your articles while you were still at CD Baby, you were full of confidence and driven. It was inspiring to read your comments.

As your blogs progressed, you seemed to be searching for something that I felt was spiritual or metaphysical in nature. I sensed that you were questioning your purpose in life. Maybe I not right, but never the less, t has been interesting to read your thoughts as well as the posts of your readers.

With this blog, it seems that you have come full circle.

You are a good person and have helped lots of people because of your efforts.

I found this article and I think you fit this description.

Cheers.

Characteristics Of High Self Confidence
by Judy H. Wright

There are certain characteristics of those who have high self esteem and confidence in their ability to affect the journey of their life. These factors are universal and can be learned if they are not present in you life right now.

1. They are ambitious. They want more from life than existence or survival. They can envision themselves in better circumstances and surroundings.

2. They are goal oriented. They seek a challenge of completing and setting new goals for themselves. They are not especially competitive, except against themselves. They enjoy breaking their own records.

3. They have learned to communicate. They know how to ask for what they want and to hear advice and counsel. It is less important for them to be right than to be effective. They listen more than they speak.

4. They are loving and kind. Those people who have a good inner self image form nourishing relationships instead of toxic ones. They have learned to detach from relationships which do not allow them to be authentic.

5. They are attractive and open to others. Self confident people are usually drawn to one another. They vibrate their confidence in a way that attracts good things and good people to them. Being attractive does not necessarily mean physically attractive in the usual sense of the word, but rather spiritually beautiful.

After a slew of rejections of my word by Taxi and fairly negative critiques by NSAI, I felt my confidence lag. But even while it was lagging, I was creating and producing some of my best work. Go figure.

Yes, confidence is a good thing if not taken too far. But in the music industry it's often who you know at least from my perspective. Derek, I found a producer in Arizona who will go in with me 50/50 to produce a few of my songs, and then we'll split it if the publisher decides to publish one of the songs. Since I have no recording equipment this is good for me and the producer hopefully. I have 8 Forwards with Taxi in nearly 2 years being a member, but no contracts to date. What's up with that? But yes, confidence is learning from one's mistakes, but not being arrogant. Confidence is what it takes I would imagine in any form of what we define as success. Thank you, Derek for sending this e-mail to me, and much success to you my friend. Clay Wilson www.cdbaby.com/cwilson
soundplays@yahoo.com

Once again Derek, you have boosted my energy level with your nuggets of wisdom. Thank you for always being there for indie artists. You are truly an inspiration!

Confidence can breed complacent thinking. Best to reconize when it's taking over

I think that anything is possible anyday anytime, it's all about the intentions you set for your adventures.

If we can remain present and conscious to our every single action, then we will receive those same actions.

if we wish to be overly audacious and destroying others while greedily taking for ourselves, it seems fitting that we will live a life of this.

I believe in confidence, in personally ability, it doesn't matter how it's being done, some have money to start up others don't, it doesn't mean that one is right and one is wrong.

It's all in the delivery. Selfishness harms and puts a hault on the planet and it's progressive potential.

The act of doing more to receive one's less creates a magical existence of harmony and awareness that can carry any business to it's longevity.

I want to feel love around me always, regardless of where I am at, or what I am doing. I wish to face challenges with heart and soul, and not regress to opposing resistance, and swimming in circles, and struggling with that which I cannot defeat, if only by hurting others.

We cannot please everybody, and that should not be the cause, but if we can please ourselves, be mindful and sincere about our entrepreneural path, then that is a success by and large over any other success that will sustain my universal bliss.

great post.

HUGS to you derek, I hope you shine the love in your heart for yourself and for every other person you interact with. You never know what situation you might find yourself with another person at any given moment.

georgette

Dont jump in the water if you can't swim , seen.

RASTAFARI

I recently decided to take the leap myself.

I've been either in school or working my whole life.

I don't know how I'll handle the challenges, the uncertainty, the low times. I've never put myself in that position before.

For some reason, I think I'm going to make it work, and I'm going to discover things about myself that will keep leading me down new, exciting, unexpected paths.

I have no reason to think this. Am I crazy?

Arrogance = superiority + stupidity.

It has nothing to do with confidence.

I have confidence in my song writing. Enough of it to finally fire my "arrogant" boss and become self-employed. I am amazed how supportive my friends and fans are. They really want me to succeed. You are not alone in this.

Follow your dreams!

You only have one life to live.

There is no second chance.

One thing I have learned over the past 30-odd years. Some who lack confidence, imagination, talent, and drive absolutely DESPISE those who do. There is no middle ground, no compromise, no coexisting with some of these folks.

Do what you do, it will work or it won't, and try not to be surprised by the occasional snare, deadfall, or dagger in the back from those who hate you simply for knowing who you are and why you're here.

While you're still in the reading every entrepreneurial/management style book you can get your hands on, Derek, try "The E-Myth" or "The E-Myth Revisited" by Gerber. This author is very inspirational and may give you some ideas that will help you with both your Muckwork project AND may help you see that maybe you gave up on CDBaby a little too soon. I'm not saying that you didn't make absolutely the right decision for you at the time, but I'm hearing a lot of dissatisfaction from your former customers. Possibly you could do some consulting work with the current owners to identify and improve areas which are weakening the company image. Possibly as an adjunct service of your new "Muckwork?"

All my best,

Jackie
Agreed it's one of the best! Read my">sive.rs/book/EMythRevisited">my notes from E-Myth Revisited, here. CD Baby was/is very systems-based. The new owners know this too and I won't be consulting for them. — Derek

Thank you for your reflection. Everyone can relate. Maybe the most important question is, "What are you making happen, and why?" My goal is always to go deep within, to learn these answers. Otherwise, it's a game of ignorance and self-deception. The most important question: "Who am I?"

A few confidence builders:

"Making a Living Without a Job" by Barbara Winter http://bit.ly/th8hl

"The 4 Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz http://bit.ly/OwCwz

"The Power of Less" by Leo Babauta

These books are more about HOW to succeed than why you should. The WHY is a no brainer...because you do not have any choice if you want to fulfill your dreams.

Joe

i read a great little book once called 'the secret to getting absolutely everything you want' (i think that's the title) the "secret" is - you have to be willing to do whatever it takes, it doesn't mean you will nessecarily have to do it but you have to be willing, the moment you become ambiguous or set limits on what you will do to reach your goal, you will derail that train (your goal) that is already on it's way to you by virtue of your determination to acheive that goal. i am buddhist and as such very goal oriented and use my practice to get what i want that i believe will contribute to my happiness and that of others (you can't have one without the other). after all the purpose of life is to be happy. just keep in mind that there is relative happiness and absolute happiness. one is dependent on circumstances outside ourselves and the other comes from within. while both are important if all we seek is relative happiness than we are always at the mercy of ever changing environments. any way the buddhist formula is determined prayer plus action equals result. so i chant nam myoho renge kyo to tap my inner confidence, courage and wisdom and then i get up and take action. so far it's been 25 years and it never fails. ask herbie hancock. (;

It's amazing that you started and ran CD Baby for so many years and made it what it is and the success you've accomplished. You had a concept that was needed and turned it into a successful enterprise.

You know it's hard to start over when things end. I should know, I've done it many times. Like me with my band this past year. All of a sudden we stopped getting jobs. So I went out and got a job in a grocery store. Now the band is starting to work again, and I'm finding myself juggling a lot more. Life is very humbling at times. The phrase "What You Got Here Won't Get You There" really is true. I've learned a lot of valuable lessons too. So "it's time to make something happen." I agree 100%. Thanks for the article. Have a great day!!

Derek,
It sure is good to hear your thoughts again after a brief silence. Yes confidence is important, and for each of us to do the thing that keeps us confident - whatever that might be. It's different for all of us, depending on our level of skill and experience.

I am a firm believer is always following my own gut.
Every time I listened to what someone else thought was the right way to do something it messed me up and I failed.

You did great for yourself

there are a lot of confidence pills out there. not necessarily helpful in the long term. Just a thought.

Yes! Derek, reading your blog is like hearing a hidden part of my own brain give me a pep talk.
thanks!

yea your right thanks for the thourght.

I think we need to be wary of propelling ourselves forward by rooting ourselves in outer directives and ego-driven confidence vs connecting to an internal energized passion and belief in self.

Every time we create something it is brand new and yes, we might be able to learn from those who have gone before but we are also creating within a whole new set of circumstances.

Genuine creating - be it a song or a business - is not head-based as you point out (it didn't make sense for you to launch CD Baby but you did not over think it, you were too busy being and doing it). Genuine creating is about responding to the passion of our life force.

I'm waiting to write the book about what you did with CD Baby. It just felt daring and inventive and with an authentic caring for musicians. Things like the automatic deposit payment once a week and the how to deal with copyrights for cover songs were topics that other companies used to control artists and their material. CD Baby said be free now. Thank you.

As I have told my kids many times. It is amazing what you can do when you don't know that you can't

I think an entrepreneur needs to be a naive optimist to overcome naysayers, like the "factoids" who tell you most start up businesses fail:

http://mywifequitherjob.com/dealing-with-people-who-doubt-your-business-ideas/

Overconfidence lets us persevere through ugly first drafts, whether it's songwriting or PHP code.

But it's the consistent action that gets results. Failed entrepreneurs tell everyone they have great ideas, but they fail to do SOMETHING every day to make it a reality.

I'm glad you're doing okay Derek. It's nice to hear from you again! We live in a house much like the cd baby pictures!! Ha! We also live in the country and can play all night if we want too!! It's freedom!!
As to confidence, sometimes, even without it, there is a driving force inside that just feels like it needs to finish the race...it's not done yet....so it motivates one to keep moving beyond intellectual reasoning.....on the business side of things..we are consulting people who know more than us and it is good and helpful!! Thank you Derek!
Have a wonderful day, beyond expectations!
Rachel

Wow, thank goodness you're back Derek.
I was starting to think you had either gone on vacation or got P**d off with all this blog stuff and then I realized, You only come here and give us food for thought when you either have something inspiring to say or need some feedback from others who have been there & done that.

Keep it up Derek and please don't give up on us mere mortals.

Bill (Saxman)
Sorry for that month of no blogging. I turned my attention to programming and just felt I had nothing to say for a while. My head was in code-mode not prose-mode. — Derek

"Fortune favors the bold"
So it is essential to maintain the humble mindset of someone constantly seeking to learn, but the self confidence to go out and apply our organic knowledge to thrive and gain, avoiding the stagnation of the timid side-liner. So by all means go out and go hard and get yours, but don't let anything go to your head so much that your to big headed to see the lesson to be learned. EXCELSIOR!

I love you. I'm moving to New York to be a nanny!

Thanks for being Awesome.

I just went through an executive 360 for my other job, and the issues it turned up for me were identity and confidence. Thanks for reminding me that I've got some work to do!

This article's full of knowledge with which to fight any fearful stumbling block. I hope I use it. This week. Confidence doesn't have to arrogant as Kristen proved yesterday with her effective but perfectly sweet letter to Seth. I was think all day that sometimes it seems like a huge chasm between writing and sending and only considering doing so while flapping around like a fish in a bucket wasting all my enthusiasm. She read the right stuff and made it happen!!! I guess it's a matter of learning enough to eliminate that chasm with confidence.
That's so weird that he has a sister with children. Sounds so... human. Sweet. Real!

This post clearly spells out what I think is the "secret" ingredient in success. I have learned more from the actions I took than all the "what ifs" I have imagined."


Off to NYC for Thanksgiving!!! Have a great Thanksgiving Day-

Jose Castro-Frenzel

When I talk to entrepreneurs sometimes the sheer weight of being able to do "everything" they end up doing "nothing". In the end I think your approach is right and requires a deep focus. Everyone wants to build something that will change the world, but you have to start with those closest to you first. All the reading, materials, and action steps are a great roadmap but only do so much. You need the ability to execute, the ability to focus, and the ability concentrate on one idea long enough to see it come to fruition.

If I,Ego,Me tries to do anything its just a waste of time....if I, if only for microseconds, can see beyond my self, things happen no matter what I do. The more microseconds, the more action. Hey, something is "happening here".....haven't you heard....

Dear Derek,
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us! I am sorry that you had to face some negative feedback when you have been an inspiration to so many of us! One of my favorite quotes that I would like to share with you and the fans is as follows: "All else may fail, Love never fails."(Meher Baba).
I include that quote in my SAFE through the Arts program (www.AzaleaBlossom.com), reminding kids to keep loving and believing in themselves. Each of us have the potential of bringing positive change into other people's lives. You certainly have, and I remind myself of this every day. How blessed we are to be creative people!
Thanks again for all of the inspiration!
See you soon! :)
Margaret

One life, one shot. Sometimes I think the attempt is as rewarding as success. If you fail, well....you tried. It's far better than watching the world whip by and have not done a thing.

As the Japanese say, "Gambatte"!!

My favourite movie and great lyrics sung by Julie Andrews ... in Sound of Music ... a great Thanksgiving movie as well ...
What will this day be like? I wonder.
What will my future be? I wonder.
It could be so exciting to be out in the world, to be free
My heart should be wildly rejoicing
Oh, what's the matter with me?

I've always longed for adventure
To do the things I've never dared
And here I'm facing adventure
Then why am I so scared

A captain with seven children
What's so fearsome about that?

Oh, I must stop these doubts, all these worries
If I don't I just know I'll turn back
I must dream of the things I am seeking
I am seeking the courage I lack

The courage to serve them with reliance
Face my mistakes without defiance
Show them I'm worthy
And while I show them
I'll show me

So, let them bring on all their problems
I'll do better than my best
I have confidence they'll put me to the test
But I'll make them see I have confidence in me

Somehow I will impress them
I will be firm but kind
And all those children (Heaven bless them!)
They will look up to me

And mind me with each step I am more certain
Everything will turn out fine
I have confidence the world can all be mine
They'll have to agree I have confidence in me

I have confidence in sunshine
I have confidence in rain
I have confidence that spring will come again
Besides which you see I have confidence in me

Strength doesn't lie in numbers
Strength doesn't lie in wealth
Strength lies in nights of peaceful slumbers
When you wake up -- Wake Up!

It tells me all I trust I lead my heart to
All I trust becomes my own
I have confidence in confidence alone
(Oh help!)

I have confidence in confidence alone
Besides which you see I have confidence in me!

It's a real trap comparing myself to others and then falling short, and it's beckoning every day, especially when I look to the experts (of which I am surrounded).
Often, when I feel upstaged by an expert's comment I tell myself that I am in a specific process and they aren't, and that I have summoned the expert in my effort to make the process work. Thus the expertise needed to summon the expert at the required time is my own.
I love your posts, Derek, they always seem to relate to my current experiences. You are one of the 'experts' I really enjoy 'summoning'.

I love the language of the Marshall Goldsmith book,
I have dealt with assholes as bosses and co-workers my entire career in the car business.
I got laid off on November 2nd, I thought I had received a get out of jail card... Seriously, I fucking shit my pants with excitement !
My wife panicked... No worries.
The Lord gives us opportunities, WE have to grab them and kick ass.
I've met great people in the last two weeks,
I've been introduced to film makers that are working on a documentary about Darfur, And I'm composing some music for that project.
Life is about keeping our minds OPEN !!!!
Thanks D,
Peace.

Hey Derek, I hear ya and I'm with you all the way !!!

Welcome back, man. My Dad once told me about a friend of his who was a great natural singer until he decided to learn to sing "properly" and screwed up his voice. Do your thing, brother and make Muck Work 10 times the success CD Baby was. You got a ton of people all over who believe in you. Just believe in yourself and use the talents God gave you to make stuff happen.

Derek

I think your words are exactly on target. I've been procrastinating getting my new direction started. The struggle between recklessness and caution has been a major stumbling block.

I have recently re-charted a new direction for my future that I am both excited about and nervous about.

Derick I've missed your posts,
thanks for taking the time to get
them going again.

I believe in what you said for sure.

besides just trying to make it as an
artist today (which takes a lot of confidence) I have begun to think of the websites that I am making (to pay the bills) as an opportunity to make things bigger...

to make real changes to the landscape of the web.

it feels like a rediculous thing to think I could do...

But I've decided to try, and I have
now begun my first website that I will really try to make something amazing with.

I won't spoil it now by saying what it is...

but I'm hoping that it will be ready in a year or less (or at least ready to launch)

:)

right on buddy! you are a super star!

Mono

YOU GO DEREK!!!! I belive in you!!! Let us all know when your website is up and running. I can't wait to share it with you! Many Blessings, Much Light, Beltana Spellsinger

True. My frustration is attempting to inspire talented artists to get up and make something happen. Having all the talent in the world is useless when you think someone else is going to make you a star. I have encountered too much laziness in the music industry. As a person who frequently visit major record companies and witness the collapse of labels, I am annoyed when I hear talented artists state their lack of success is due to MAJOR LABLES PASSING OVER THEM. BE YOUR OWN LABEL THEN YOU WILL SURELY GET THE ATTENTION YOU NEED....

F The Elemental

I really love this article. I am an expert at everything I decide to do the minute I decide to do it ... but then the next minute comes along I am a dunce doing things I don't understand. And so it goes back and forth from knowing to learning to knowing again meanwhile I pay the bills and help others grow and change as I grow and change sooooo I guess that's what one calls an entrepreneur.

I think your beating yourself up a bit to much Derek. At some point we have to feel successful and you were successful far above most. I am lucky I have gone back to school. I felt so usless as like you say the more I learnt to a point way above what I originally thought I wanted to. I discovered there was so much more to learn. Also kept raising the goal bar. The main thing is not to give up. For some reason our knowledge and learning is or should be of benefit in the next world. Otherwise we would be better of just to slack along. Your right about the V8 but it depends on the size of the car, the amount of traction and the amount of wheels that drive as to what hills we can climb. The easy way of course is to take a plane and parachute in... If the mountain is too high we do have to walk the final hard yards. We have to be accepting of the yards we take in those final yards. Its very close to the top...

You're in good company. We're 100% there with you.

6 startups, 20 years, I'm still learning to be good at it.

But as Yoda says, "Do, or do not. There is no 'try.'"

The more I learn . . .
The less I knew.

L A M M Y
aka Mr. True . . . ?

Thanks for all the confidence you've helped and inspired me in ways that not many have regarding music Biz. One of my favorite things I've gotten most recently from your blog on a writer? was this key point I find to be super profound.

IT'S Better to Follow Through with a Bad Idea then to have a great Idea and do Nothing with it.

Things like this make me feel very confident that your providing something positive and needed to the music world at large.

Respects to you D

Best wishes

ADX

You made your first company work with persistence and hard work.

I concur. Muckwork is ready for you :) or vise versa...
xo
victoria

Derek, I couldn't agree more. Thanks for the illustration.

Reading those books, like studying anything, is good but has its limits. They're based on what is known, what can be analyzed. Self-confidence is exploring the unknown, doing something new.

You should be reading Paul Arden.

Thank you. This was an exceptional article. By the way, I just got "Puple Cow" by Seth Godin and "Crush It!" by Gary Vaynerchuk. I knew about Seth Godin, but it wasn't until I was on a business trip to San Diego that I sat next to two entrepeneurs on the plane that I found out about Crush It. I also want to point out one of my favorite books titled "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron.

Derek, your honesty and introspective writings are so helpful. Please keep sharing!

Dearest Derek,
It seems to me that you are a shining example of: the 'business' of good karma (and that is not a simple phrase) making for cofidence in being.

Derek, I think this is your most thoughtful blog written to date, a very compelling think-piece.

What I have learned in life is this:

*** the more I learn, the less I know ***

You see, the more one studies this Universe, the more one ceases to think in terms of Black or White, then the more you begin to see the many shades of grey.

The more you educate yourself, the more you can discern the pro and con of every idea, and you begin to realize that certainty is typically no more than an ideology, and not necessarily any kind of absolute.

Yet, just as you came to realize that your increased knowledge led to a questioning of many long cherished beliefs, you also understood that we live in a world that rewards and empowers those who are full of confidence, absolutely certain that they are right about one issue or another.

And as a man, you also know that confidence is not simply a requirement for business success, but also an imperative aphrodisiac for getting women to invite us into the warm shelter of their most intimate and profane confessions.

In the end, as equivocal as we might be about virtually every aspect of life, we live in a society that demands we "jump off a cliff" and sail boldly forward. We have no choice but to act as though we have all the answers, because it is a world that generally only rewards adamant conquerors, never the tortured doubters.

That is what appeals to me most about Art, because it enables us, as men, to reveal our insecurities, bare our souls, and
cry in the spotlight of pubic scrutiny.

Rarely is such inner revelation and male vulnerability tolerated in a society that demands we be so confident about every venture we undertake.

Yet, in Art, all is forgiven, and women who would normally shun such male "weakness" in any other occupation, instead find the mother soul awakened within, intoxicated by the revelations of long suppressed male pain, enraptured by all that is true within the conflicted soul of a man.

that's just what I needed to hear today!!!

Sometimes the greatest obstacle in one's self is in knowing where to begin the journey,not realizing you have already done so just by asking the question. Confidence is built by successfully asking questions along the way, and developing the skill to ask "the right" question(s).

I just read an inspirational book, I read the Be Here Now back in the 70 s , But the book the power of now is really a confident builder, ET says when you fully except what you have now, and are greatful for what you have,and greatful for what is, greatful for being in the present moment,and the fulness of life now, is true prosperity.

Don t worry, be happy,

Keep on keepin on, my man

We are all a bunch of dumb monkeys.
Some of us have more fun than others and in the process accomplish something profound as we reach for more than an another bunch of bananas. We learn from this as we forget other things we learned before because we are all a bunch of dumb monkeys.

I jumped into the deep end and nearly drowned many years ago. I thought I knew it all, but after associating with many business professionals like yourself Derek, I found out we don’t know it all we are all still learning. And if we take a wrong path to success at least we have had the experiences along the way, some good and some bad and then it is time to do house cleaning as they say, and clean up the negatives and revise our situations. And yes sometimes we can become our own worst enemy when we are locked into a mode of senselessness, and refuse to be told otherwise. Well, I thank you day after day for your words of wisdom, that have helped myself and many others get through to where we are today, and that has helped us all build more confidence in ourselves.

Confidence is important but even more important is believing in yourself and knowing you can give yourself what you need to continue even in the face of adversity. Hopefully kindness is an essential part of the mandate.

This post made me smile more than any of your others have (and that's saying something). I spent a couple of years paying business coaches, over ten years into my company, because I thought, "I must still be stuck *here*, because there's something I *don't* know that they *do* know." It was an expensive lesson in learning that I'd just stopped having bold ideas and taking risks with them. I wanted something plug and play that would make "success" easier--but that's not how spirit works. I needed to recapture the flame I started with, and learn that I already had most of the tools I needed.

comparing ourselves to the masters may be a fools proposition, but it gives us something
strive for. Other than that we do the best with
what's in front of us, keep it honest and you
touch all. g.

CONFIDENCE. WOW! IS THAT THE TRICK?

You said 'Fucking'. That's cool. Seriously though, the other night I was watching the 'Raven' with Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Lon Chaney and a terrible acting Job by Jack Nicholson. He really improved after that one. His confidence must not have been very high, but it obviously improved by the time he got to '(The) Shining' and especially by 'Batman'. Tim Burton was wise to shell out the $50 million or so that Jack got for it. In any case, 'The Raven' starts out with Price quoting Poe. Then he makes the magic outline in mid air, of a raven, using his finger like a magic wand. By that point he hears a 'hacking' or a 'tapping' sound on the door and then the rest is history. In any case, movies, or even actors are an example of how confidence is everything and the persona that Nicholson embodied after that was nothing like the lack of confidence he seemed to show before it. Confidence, or at least projecting it is everything. I covet that in people.

PeAcE-Dave

Hi Derek,
I think you were damn lucky, to happen into a "hobby" that was also an unexploited demand, and a revenue stream for millions of music makers. Many people go confidently into things that don't pay off, and I say that with total respect for who you are.

Along the way u defined the aspects of the business based on your personal quirks and tuitions, your generosity and business ethic that is EXACTLY why CDBaby succeeded and the others, who shall remain nameless, did not. Do they say that in those books?

I don't know if there's anything you can do to "deserve" the success that u had, but you did something right.

Help is a word that might best define Derek's endeavor at CDBaby.

Ask the question and win. How can I help you?

Bradley Winfield Parker

The more you learn, the more you realize how much you don't know. But as you said, a shit load of attitude/confidence can get you far. Timing must be on your side, though. Thanks for sharing.

Ignore everybody...and just do it!

We're all improving every day. We make mistakes. We fix them and move on. When you are doing the things we love to do--the things that are right for you--qualms and fear disappear, and they are replaced by confidence and bravery.

Hi Derek,
You are our inspiration first of all.Don't let the pundits make you feel like a jerk.In life we slip,we stumble,we fall,we get up,we learn and we try again till we find something that works.Isn,t that the same in business?You are a very successful business man and drive people like you drive yourself but,albeit your fair.That's the confidence you go with so move on up good buddy.

I go my mojo rising

Its just like that. You can read and think and dream and and and and....Until you jump off, get knee deep...were failure is just not an option.Bravo and another insight well done thanks.

You either Do or you Don't!!!

You are so right. I have studied only to find myself dumb. LOL. When I began to do my own cds, I just jumped out there and did it. No experience in mixing, mastering, recording, etc., but now I am better and I am wiser for it. I am now understanding better, and doing better. I agree with you, just do it, and the wisdom will be learned. I am looking forward to your next venture, count me in.
Peace,
Yahaloma

You can't be successful without confidence. Confidence to me has so much to do with great success. Yes, even when we fail. Having confidence means taking another step towards your goal no matter what's in your way. I've always said, never give up.

I dont know what to say....im almost ready to just give up...This economy and the way that the world is right now is very very horrifying to me...Sometimes feel like my last days are near...hope the best for everyone in here...but me im just about Done...Tried everything,drained my brain,cant find work not less and investor for my new ideas...Bain feels Fried from jumping off of hot skillets..

“I wanted to replace my old thoughts with new ones.”
Derek… what in the world do you mean by that?
You created a business that really worked and now you think you should change your … what… your thought patterns?
Were you not being who you really are during that time?

”Plus an ex-employee I’d fired, and an ex-girlfriend I’d broken up with, made sure I knew what a horrible horrible person I am. Not only am I an idiot, I’m dangerous! Destroying others in my path.”
Are you being facetious here… and if not, why do they both think you’re a danger?

I can’t decide whether you’re fishing for the justification of your actions, or it just so happens that two of your closest friends came to the same conclusion… independently.

I don’t mean to be overly critical, but I’m getting the impression that you have a tendency to blame.
To blame yourself, others, the situation, your “undeserved” whatever!

You’re a programmer… thinking in codes and procedures and logic.

But life can’t be lived that way. You’re not the best;, but you’re certainly not the worst!
Stop punishing yourself! It destroys the confidence required!!!!

I don't know what you're planning but you have hit the confidence nail on the head.
If you feel that maybe you don't 'deserve' to feel confident, for whatever reasons, you can look at self confidence as a service to others.Chances are they don't know for sure what is happening, either, so it is more helpful to present a reassuring calm than to add the psycho-muck of self doubt, in any given situation.
One thing I know for sure is that I have seen uniformly better results in the music business come from reckless, cocky kids than I ever have seen from well-informed, self- doubting neurotics.

You know it's easy to criticize yourself after the fact. You make your own decisions at the time as you see it. Looking back, the biggest waste of time for me was to get into songwriting. Oh sure I have 8 cd's out, but really who really cares except "ME". If I would put that much effort into other crafts such as making log beds (which I have made) I'd be able to sell them for $1000 plus. But no at the time I chose songwriting, and I have so much time and effort into it, my log bed making is a second.
So Derek were you making bad decisions back then, I don't think so. You made them as you seen them back then.
hmmmmmmmmmm

Just the other day I chatted with a friend and CPA asking him if he knew some type of business consultant I might talk to in order to handle what might be a very successful jump in producing a show.
He said I should talk to a therapist, as what I needed what confidence.

Thanks for your comments - perfect timing.
Rhan

Well said, Derek!

Confidently replied.

ROCK ON!

All original artists should remember that they laughed at Elvis too!

- Marv

Hi Derek, thank you for this.

My favorite approach is one that you've mentioned in a past blog "Let's see what happens if I try THIS"...

-Steven

Confidence is how I have pushed myself to get anywhere in life. Know you can do it,,,,if you stop to think too long,,,you won't.

confidence or seeking shelter from the storm in an art form that actually takes hold and continues to give comfort and a place to "get out of the rain"?

It wasn't confidence that made me play. It was the NEED to play. The only safe place I knew, know.

Derek, From my experience with CDBAby you were at the helm of an extraordinarily wonderful business that worked exquisitely. It felt like a very win-win place - Thank you for that. And thank for the 'go for it' hit here. You're amazing and a real force of nature.

Confidence is the key that opens the doors of doubt! What is behind those doors????...

Derek I have to say - your stories are always weird and twisted - however true to life at the same time and I'm often wondering where is he going with this and then you end it with something brilliant, poignant, and full of wisdom! I'm sure you were writing this to reinforce it to yourself but thank you for sharing it because those were the exact words I needed to hear.

I came across you site by accident and enjoyed reading this blog on confidence. Confidence, and lack of confidence, has a huge impact on the way we live our lives. Most people do not do things as they fear failure, however I actually think this is actually a fear of success - what if I do not deserve this success, what happens when I get to the top etc.

Wonderfully said, Derek. I feel like I should thank you every week and rarely do. You are constantly inspiring.

Confidence, as distinct from bravado.

"Stay calm; nothing is under control" says a favorite t-shirt.

Confidence comes from being passionate about what you are doing, and trusting that you'll get what you need, when you need it, to do it "right." It comes from being willing to stay alert, and stay on task, to reach the goal. Choose well, and then GO FOR IT!

Once I get enough momentum, those "what the f*** do I think I'm doing???" thoughts - the anti-confidence - carry less weight.

I don't know how to be more precise than to say if I'm spiritually motivated in the first place, then it is always worth following through.

In my opinion most people are not born with confidence. It’s a trait you develop by constantly challenging your fears and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. We all have fear... it's the truly successful that acknowledge it and challenge it rather than allowing fear define them.

Wow, that's the coolest way of announcing a new company. Good luck with it, Sivers. I'm sure it's gonna be a great one.

Great post, btw.

Thank you Derek.

How do you think Columbus felt? The entire world, all of humanity, everybody who existed, KNEW the earth was flat. Who was he to say otherwise?!?!?

What kind of a confidence, what kind of faith, did Columbus have to say he'll find a way to India going west, and thus go against everybody's knowledge of the earth being flat?

That's the kind of confidence I aspire to have. For if I have that kind of faith, nothing is impossible.

Hey Derek, I agree with the rest of the bloggers. I miss your topics because you commuicate with some very interesting and intelligent minds.I enjoy reading their thoughts and opinions.There are some very encouraging people on this blog and I will refer to them to continously to improve myself professionally and in my everyday life. Thanks everybody for your positive ensights on Derek's topics.


Waiting On love, Waiting on You.

Ms.Dimples

I have always thought of the possibilty of making a mistake personally and professionally. An inner voice say's to me."If you are good in your craft, humbled by life, you will be loved enough by people that you are around and hear your music It won't matter if you make a mistake.Because you tried, Just keep going and doing "the damn thing" until you get it right. And " Just because you made a mistake doesn't always make it a bad mistake".


"Waiting On Love, Waiting On YOU"

MS.Dimples

“Whether your confidence is naïve, inspired or crafted - you need its high-horsepower engine to get uphill and go anywhere.”

-nicely put!!

When young, the risk and before-thought involved isn’t quite as complex, the ‘naivety’ principle is more than half the charm and inertia. Later, we actually learn about how things work and gain a few tools but begin to attribute ‘inspiration’ to what really moves things along. At some later point, with some experience amassed and a track record of developed tools on hand, we begin to believe ‘control’ and our ‘crafting’ has the most to do with a given outcome; however, aren’t all of these stages and types of confidence merely ways of looking at the past?

I’m hearing Derek as having come full-circle to a realization that it isn’t really about any of those stages, nor any learned mechanisms, nor can anything one can newly learn, that will equate to success. What are we to do if it’s not about control, models, paradigms, or methods? I agree we must push on with ‘confidence’ as it is our torch (or our sunglasses, depending how you look at things), -because where we must go if we’re not going to continue living in the past, is always into the infinite possibilities of the future –where we can actively participate or not. In the end, (and the now), there will always be ‘risk’ and it’s requisite ‘confidence’, as both are part of the exciting game we happen to be playing.

Sm.

How do you manage to get the timing of these shared lessons, observations, thoughts so damn well? I just got canned from a job i've been doing for 11yrs at a piece of crap tv station and piece of crap morning show. Confidence is something i'll need to plow thru holidays, and a reshape the vision of my life. Thanks Derek

Derek, the fact tht you built CD Baby into the de-facto standard for independent music distribution speaks much more than any of the pundits whom you've been reading.

It was your insight that made it what it was (and, sadly now, what it is not).

There will be others who think you're a bastard, who cares? Revel in their hatred, since they obviously don't understand you anyway.

Have you ever seriously considered Jesus?

This is a good article, keep it up! I find while doing freelancing have to re-think about the way I do things. I blindly went to business college where they would teach out of a book and everything in the book was a "best practice" or just "the way".

Actually doing business I find most of what they taught was incorrect or not the best way of doing things. For example we had to give our presentations in a full suit. In the real world I never wear more than a t-shirt and jeans for my presentations. Business managers always comment, wow I wish I could dress like you at work.

I was wondering where you'd gone.

Yep - doing is the best way to learn.
No one is perfect.
And - you can't argue with a confident man.

well a lack of confidence forwards nothing so we're pushing ahead with goals now and hope to report a turn around of sales and ideas being generated

thanx for being such an inspiration and role model outside corporate entertainment

Was it Einstein that said, "Genius is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration"-?
Your words are all the more meaningful because you've worked hard to obtain the necessary experiences to be able to speak with authority and empathize with others. One thing I have learned from you and other enlightened beings is that ability and ideas are not enough. They must be accompanied by DRIVE and DETERMINATION.
Thanks again for sharing your valuable insights.

So what's happening w/ Muckwork?
I'm working on it. — Derek

Without confidence you have no chance. However with confidence you must have wisdom to listen to other ideas and just don't be a jerk and say it's my way or the highway. Very interesting article I wish an exboss of mine could learn from this.

I hope confidence is all it takes cause it's all I got.

I'm 34, living in my parents garage going through a divorce that involves 2 children. House is in forclosure and I'm probably in debt over 300k.

I will deal with all of that, but besides my children, none of that is my focus-I rarely think about those things at all (but I know they are there and very real). My focus in on my work and in that, I'm extremely confident.

Yes, isn't it true also, that we need strong supporters, and that surrounding ourselves with the right people is part of building that confidence. That doesn't mean they always say what you want to hear either. Sometimes hearing things that are not always easy on us, is the best thing for us. That's how we learn.

Derek,you started cd baby at a time when it was a much needed vehicle to drive more independent artist into the World, you brought music into the digital arena. Have you ever thought about starting digital music stands, (like newspaper stands)in airports,bookstores etc. or maydigimobiles, music on wheels?

Thanks so much Derek for the super shot of adrenaline!

Thanks so much Derek for sharing your wisdom! I truly appreciate the energy you give and find it so inspiring. This helps guide me, and enabling me return to that childlike space/place of mind... it so energizing. I am grateful that I can share the same space time continueium as you on this planet. Truly a magnificant time to be alive

You can create and also earn your confidence based on little achievements and how you treat yourself.

Look at your goals, work towards them. Take time to reflect on what you've achieved. Take time also to reflect on what else you want and need to achieve.

I think you really create your own luck, as well. Once in a while someone gives you a lucky break if you're talented, kind, and hard working, and responsible.

Do remember that when you're creating a company--whether it's CDBaby, a band, your own music business firm--that you have to be responsible to yourself and your clients. As you fulfill your work duties, you'll feel good about what you did.

Derek, right on again!

I'm rediscovering my punk roots, on my third website design/interactive agency/video production company since '93 and it's an awesome and humbling journey, but without that "f--- y'all, I'm doing it!" confidence you'll get absolutely nowhere.

Yo Derek, one of my most influential mentors in my life is my mother. One of the many important lessons she has taught me is "Make It Happen!"

This way of life has made me accomplish many goals including releasing creations of my passion through CD Baby ;-) and setting up my record label Randall Records which is named after her maiden name.

Cheers for the interesting read people.

If you wait to acquire all the knowledge or"supposed" tricks of the trade to start your venture,
YOU WILL NEVER DO IT!!!!!!You never stop learning. You can never
know enought to be a safe bet(to yourself or others).Know in your heart that youre desire and passion
will lead you "through" and not "to" the path to success.

"With confidence, you have won even before you have started." - Marcus Garvey

So true. Recently we had an artist who wanted to come to our country and give a concert. No promoters would buy the show, everybody told us it was a waste of time. Then one day I read this quote from Marcus Garvey while on the phone with my friend in Jamaica. I literally said, screw it. LET'S DO IT! And to get myself a no turning back i bought the artists plane tickets on the spot.

This turned out to be one of the greatest experiences in my life so far, getting a chance to backup an international reggae artist, learning, meeting new people, many doors opened and many new opportunities are now showing up.

And all through our events and everything, this was our motto.

"With confidence, you have won even before you have started."

Every time I felt like there was no way out, I just said, I WILL work it out.

Good post.

Confidence ... confidence ... what you gonna do ... now that fear is afraid of you?

Thanks for sharing, you gave me a jolt to get working, like a good cup of coffee.

As always, your thoughts affect inspiring to me. Hahaha... I just experiencing it on what you say... Fortune follows the brave!

You've made sound observations and given sound advice as usual. You're email came at the right time.My confidence has slipped a bit as nothing seems to be happening musically. I need to get out there and try harder to make it happen. Thanks for the kick in my butt.

Yes, this is a good thought for me today. I go back & forth - sometimes thinking "I'm a genius" and other times "What am I thinking"!

But -- these days I feel like I am on the edge & something is going to break & show the light (hopefully before I break myself trying to work a day job & a music job at least full-time both, not to mention staying involved with my husband, family, cat....

So, thank you Derick, for reminding me about the confidence factor! I always enjoy receiving your e-mails & reading all of these responses.

muchas gracias, muy util y sabio consejo, la fe mueve montañas.
un abrazo!

thats the greatness of man,A man with dignity, I tell you Derek, I learn so much from you and so many people can say the same thing you are an insprirational Jah bless and keep you oness of heart

I thought you would like to share your thouhts with our family. We have our routes in london England. we come from a long line of watermen, that worked on the river Thames way back in the 15th century. I wondered if you have any connection with my line.? I would like to think we could share our personal families hoping we could come up to a connection. Kind regards. Brian.

WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!no words for this article.

класс! спасибо:)

This is what I really needed. Words about confidence. I've also felt it was wrong to be confident (equating with narcissism) so I put myself down a lot. But after the deprecation, only do I finally realize that I need that confidence without the narcissism to make my life happen.

Though you wrote this article a long time ago---Thanks, Derek. I was confused and thought about giving up.

What a great kick up the arse Derek!

I believe that every single thing that materialises begins as an idea and the process of actioning that idea is what will turn whatever the thought was into reality, most of the time.

Being the 295th comment is a bit intimidating in itself. I live, eat, breathe and sleep entrepreneurship only because it was the only way to make sense of my own life. Why didn't I fit? Why is my voice always the aberration? Why is my attitude always the one that causes reactions like, "what now Mrs. Hughes?" or "why am I not surprised?" I have felt like the square peg in the round hole my whole life. It wasn't until I was 47 fricking years old that I realized this might not be a liability - and might even be an asset?

But, I will say this: I love learning because it fills my brain with new exciting possibilities, but, I can't sit idle with them. I have to act - right, wrong or insane - I have to act. I don't care if I look like the laughing stock of the entire world while I am acting, I have to... I am driven to... act on my ideas, build my thoughts, touch their results.

Only after the first flush is over do I pause and get embarrassed or wish I had reached perfection first.

And then, this thing always inside of me takes over and says, I don't have time to be perfect first, let's build first foremost and then make it perfect as we go.

This my reality.

One of your bloggers asked 'how do you build confidence'? For me there are two points I'd say helped.

1. Experience a big fat failure. When you've experienced failure and realised it's not that bad, then the idea of not trying things becomes more scary. You could argue confidence arrives when you realise 'why the hell not - I really haven't got much to lose'.

2. Thinking you haven't got much to lose isn't as easy as it sounds because people always over estimate their future success. It's harder to try when you scare yourself by creating goals which are too high: e.g what if it doesn't take off? What if it doesn't make enough money? I've removed money from being my goal - it's amazing how liberating it is to remove money from the equation; it certainly helps a lot in the confidence stakes too.

I dont know if you still read these but thanks man, I needed that. Ive been blasting myself with so much info the last couple months i was feeling the same way… Great go to articles. Also nice to see someone else thinks similar - owning least JUNK as possible.
….. & your article reminds me of a quote from UW,
"didnt think they stood a chance in hell BUT!!! they said F you im going for it ANYWAYS"!!

thanks again!

Sometimes I need to compensate for fear with an ego high, sometimes I compensate by being very humble. What ever works. No doubt I've also matched fear by having confidence, but I can think of no examples off hand.

It was Richard F., the nobel-winning scientist, who said would look at everything and say, "Who am I to..." and then one thing would look worthy of experimenting about, not futile at all, and off he would go.

Over time, like Richard, I learned to be confident about picking my next speech for toastmasters, or topic for my blog essay. I have yet to gain any traction on picking a fiction plot or idea. But I know it is a skill I can learn. Or... does it take merely take learning confidence?

For Chris, two posts above:
Of course Derek still reads these! I know because he said so.

Also, he is setting us an example in taking pains, which is a part of success, in many parts of life.

Also, part of being a good writer (and good at other arts) is loving your own work, and parts of your work such as comments.

I for one never get tired of editing my own prose. I only stop for consideration of time and cost-benefit.

By the way, it's an open secret that for monthly comic books, while the letters/comments are supposedly read and answered by someone else, (not the comic hero or artist) that is a polite fiction to give distance.