Performing artists, songwriters, and aspiring musicians are usually given the same piece of sage advice: to get yourself or put your work “out there” where it can be discovered. This often implies pounding pavement–moving to a big city, booking a lot of rough gigs, networking like a monster, or knocking on the proverbial door of opportunity until someone–an agent, an executive, or a “talent scout” (do those still exist?)–discovers you.

The familiar story always ends the same way: Once you get discovered–once some powerful, visionary manager or mogul is exposed to your talent*, they will make you a big star and the rest will be history…the only problem is that the eternal hope at the root of this “discovery myth” is built on rumor, not fact. How many success stories are really that simple?

Even more importantly, expecting to be discovered may lead to another unintentional problem–the common trap of leaving your center in hope of attracting someone else’s attention and admiration. Once an artist gets hooked on the dream of getting discovered, they become vulnerable to superficial flattery, neediness, and a host of manipulations. This desperate need for external recognition is so common in some industry circles that it seems completely natural–an industry standard.

However, there are alternatives: instead of perpetually seeking to be discovered, you can invest your energy into a lifelong pursuit of Self-discovery. Living with a deep curiosity about who you are and who you are becoming is a joyous journey that strengthens an artist’s resolve, deepens self-expression, and, paradoxically, attracts more attention from potential business contacts and musical collaborators.

Tune in to this Soul of Songwriting episode to learn from some of the hard lessons and foibles that have taken many a musician (including our host) down many a wrong path. Discover what treasures lie calmly in waiting once the need to be discovered is redirected into a search for Self-discovery. This is part five of the “Seven Common Myths of Musicianship and the Creative Process” series.

*For more thoughts on talent, listen to SOS Episode # 21: “Just The Way You Are: Debunking The Myth Of Talent.”

 

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