Need help with overcoming perfectionism/negative thinking.

**Posts:** 1 · by **Zychlon** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 8:20 pm

I feel like this is a stupid thing of me to do, but I really need help with this.

I love hip-hop/rap music and have loved it since I was introduced to it as a child (I'm now 19, from Norway). I have always dreamed of becoming a rapper and I have been writing lyrics for about 5-6 years.
Back when I started, I had no problems with writing a whole song in an hour. It was awful, of course, since I had so little knowledge. But as I've gotten older it's become harder for me and I know this is because I have set my standards higher.
I consistently compare myself to the greatest rap lyricists I know and fail to deliver. I am troubled by my negative thinking which I can't seem to stop and no matter how good my material is, I don't like it.

This is maddening, because I know I am good! I know that can achieve anything if I just put my mind to it and do the work. I am also very motivated (wish to showcase my skill, outshine others, disprove the naysayers). Whenever I try to write I often find myself stuck looking up synonyms for each and every word to see if I can express it in a better, more advanced way, or researching different topics to find stuff to reference.

I know a guy who I am superior to in terms of writing and rapping, yet he has completed an album and received praise for it by many friends and acquaintances, and I still haven't been able to finish a single verse after I started getting serious with it.

I write lyrics every day, at home, at work, in bed, etc. Whenever something strikes me, I jot it down on the notepads that I keep on me and around me at all times.

I don't know what else to say. I know I could keep on explaining stuff for hours, but then you probably wouldn't bother to read it.

Here's an example that shows my problem:
I had to build up courage just to post this and I spent a long time correcting words, finding synonyms, etc...

What should I do? Could someone share their opinions on this?

**Posts:** 10113 · by **JuliusFawcett** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 9:32 pm

Creating positive self talk is possible, in fact a good deal of American rappers are fabulous at this as expressed in their lyrics.

Here is a video that can help you with this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgzVZNP ... YwdCN2DLoN

**Posts:** 12131 · by **Richard@DecisionSkills** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 6:26 am

Sometimes perfectionism is a form of fear, of procrastination. Make an anonymous account on YouTube, make a few short clips (30 seconds). Have fun.

**Posts:** 19 · by **transcendyourlimitsdotcom** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 9:03 pm

Zychlon wrote:I feel like this is a stupid thing of me to do, but I really need help with this.

I love hip-hop/rap music and have loved it since I was introduced to it as a child (I'm now 19, from Norway). I have always dreamed of becoming a rapper and I have been writing lyrics for about 5-6 years.
Back when I started, I had no problems with writing a whole song in an hour. It was awful, of course, since I had so little knowledge. But as I've gotten older it's become harder for me and I know this is because I have set my standards higher.
I consistently compare myself to the greatest rap lyricists I know and fail to deliver. I am troubled by my negative thinking which I can't seem to stop and no matter how good my material is, I don't like it.

This is maddening, because I know I am good! I know that can achieve anything if I just put my mind to it and do the work. I am also very motivated (wish to showcase my skill, outshine others, disprove the naysayers). Whenever I try to write I often find myself stuck looking up synonyms for each and every word to see if I can express it in a better, more advanced way, or researching different topics to find stuff to reference.

I know a guy who I am superior to in terms of writing and rapping, yet he has completed an album and received praise for it by many friends and acquaintances, and I still haven't been able to finish a single verse after I started getting serious with it.

I write lyrics every day, at home, at work, in bed, etc. Whenever something strikes me, I jot it down on the notepads that I keep on me and around me at all times.

I don't know what else to say. I know I could keep on explaining stuff for hours, but then you probably wouldn't bother to read it.

Here's an example that shows my problem:
I had to build up courage just to post this and I spent a long time correcting words, finding synonyms, etc...

What should I do? Could someone share their opinions on this?

Sounds like you're a little bit of a perfectionist, and that's not a bad thing although maybe you should practice letting things go a little bit, just go with the flow and accept that not all of the things you do will be perfect.

**Posts:** 14 · by **danielbrown** » Wed Apr 02, 2014 9:52 am

I have recently came across a motivational keynote speaker- Jody Urquhart ( mentioned in my previous post as well) . Her speeches and videos are really motivating and she will definitely help you to get rid of the stress and negative attitude towards life. You can find her videos and speeches on net.

**Posts:** 217 · by **pantodragon** » Wed Apr 02, 2014 4:06 pm

There are a couple of pieces of advice I can give. Probably the easiest is: calm down. Meditation should help, but you must also practice self-control and recite this mantra as frequently as possible, and certainly when you are getting upset with your supposed failures: I don't care.

The harder piece of advice is this: you have a major problem in that you prioritise winning over writing for its own sake. The problem with this is that if, in your heart of hearts, your desire is to win above everything else, then your mind will focus soleyl on winning. The trouble then is that there are many ways to win other than by perfecting your craft. As is common knowledge, sports people often use drugs and chess players use psychological techniques etc. Your mind therefore is lijkely to be more focussed on spotting techniques for winning rather than on writing good rap. You need, therefore, to change your priorities. Try not to compete, and certainly not to care that other people are more successful than you. Ironically, you will find that the less you care about competing and the more you care about the actual poetry, the more likely you are to become a success...... I would warn you, though, that success will not be instantaneous. If you take this advice, success will come in the end whenever that end may be.

**Posts:** 54 · by **Paul Thomas** » Wed May 21, 2014 9:09 pm

I would suggest focusing more on the value that your lyrics will bring to others. Imagine having a fan base of loyal fans that love hearing your music and lyrics. This will take the pressure off you somewhat.

Get your work out there, even if you don't think its perfect. Once it's out there, people will connect with what you are doing. They can also give you feedback.

I have heard examples of great songs being written in just a couple of hours. The song writer was relaxed and in the zone and the music and lyrics just came out. There are also many examples of writers block, which often happens when writing that "difficult second album" after the first record was a huge hit. The pressure of writing great songs becomes too great and the second album either doesn't happen or is not as good. Think positive, lighten up and let those creative juices flow!

I'll look out for you on MTV :-)

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