5

Don’t compare yourself to others. You have a unique set of skills and can offer something that nobody else can, so resist the temptation to compare your musical journey to others. Realise that we’re all running different races.

4

Analyse and share your frustrations. Reach out to friends, family or just internet weirdos and share your experiences. Others will have a unique perspective that might help you see things from a different angle. Analyse what happened, pick yourself up and move on.

3

Believe in yourself. Now this is very easy to say but less easy to do. Cherish your successes and be confident that they’ll lead to further work. You’ve moved people with your music before and you can do it again.

2

Embrace fate. Maybe losing that one job will free you up for another that’s much more your style. Or perhaps all that time spent writing music just for yourself has primed you for quick turnarounds when the time comes.

1

Maintain perspective. You’ve chosen a tough career so pat yourself on the back just for that and embrace the fact that composing will inevitably lead to many rejections. There’s no guarantee that you’ll attain all your creative goals in life, but you’ve made it this far so keep going.