Reflections drawn from my personal journey, along with invaluable lessons shared by fellow artists, colleagues, and peers. Take what resonates with you and save the rest for your future self.
After my first performance at Magnetic Field Festival in 2017, I went through an identity crisis. Up until that point, it had been my dream to perform there. But in the midst of that excitement, my musical journey was evolving in a different direction. I had fallen in love with soulful side of music, which felt like a more refined version of what I had been doing. I wanted to embody that sound.
For the next six months, I played countless shows, trying to force this new identity, but no matter what I did, my true self didn’t shine through. I was struggling, and when things didn’t click, I blamed it on the crowd—telling myself they weren’t ready for the deeper vibe I was trying to bring.
Years later, I realize I wasn’t failing because of the audience or the circumstances. I was chasing an ideal version of myself that wasn’t aligned with my authentic creative essence. I was a victim of Shiny Object Syndrome.
Shiny Object Syndrome, also known as Magpie Syndrome, is a human tendency to become distracted by new ideas, opportunities, or trends in the pursuit of something ‘better.’ In today’s world, where resources are abundant and choices are endless, this phenomenon is widespread. It can be seen in various aspects of life—whether in careers, personal passions, relationships, or even within our own industry.
I only did this for six months, and I didn’t fight hard enough. Either that, or I was trying to be something I wasn’t. I didn’t allow things to evolve naturally. In reality, a much deeper internal battle was unfolding.
Why wasn’t it working? That’s when I turned inward. I realized I needed to focus on what I was truly good at, and align my actions with my core values and morals. Otherwise, it felt like a constant war between my mind and my soul.
I started DJing because I loved sharing music. Disco and House music, in particular, resonated with me on a deep level. It made me feel whole in a way nothing else did. This shift wasn’t immediate—it was a natural, evolving process that took almost 4 years.
Looking back now, I realize that the only thing that truly made sense was strengthening my ‘why’s.’ I had a long-term vision and short-term goals, which guided me through the uncertainty and helped me stay aligned with my authentic self.
So, how can you sustain a long-term career in this industry doing what you love?
- The first step is to strengthen your whys. Understand why you’re here. If your primary motivations are money or fame, you need to recognize the challenges that come with those pursuits.
- You need to finish what you start—seeing each project through to completion is essential. Anything less sends a signal to your brain that quitting is okay, and over time, that becomes a habit.
Finishing a project has been essential to our growth as artists. Sometimes the process flows effortlessly, like muscle memory, and other times it’s like enduring a long-haul flight you can’t wait to end. It’s in those challenging moments, when doubt starts to creep in, that we’ve learned the most important lesson: real growth happens when you push through.
Even when the work feels heavy, we focus on finishing—whether it’s crafting a coherent arrangement or fine-tuning the final mix. And it’s often in these moments of persistence that happy accidents emerge. A small, unexpected change can suddenly make the track feel more alive, or reveal something that doesn’t belong, sharpening the entire composition.
Once the project is complete, we step back and let it rest, giving ourselves time to forget what it sounds like. When we return with fresh ears, it’s like hearing it for the first time, allowing us to decide with clarity if any final adjustments are needed. This practice has shown us that finishing isn’t about perfection—it’s about momentum, discipline, and discovering something new along the way.– Audio Units on Completing a project
- Understand what ‘enough’ really means. It’s better to do fewer things with greater depth and meaning.
I remember doing 60 DDC events in two years—financially, they were the best years of my life, but I can barely remember most of them. It became overwhelming, and I burned out. I found myself snapping at the people I was working with.
As Marcus Aurelius wisely said, ‘If you seek tranquility, do less.’ Before you take on anything, ask yourself: Are you moving closer to your long-term vision, or further away from it?
- Practice patience—understand that all goals take time. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Warren Buffet once said, ‘The stock market is a mechanism for transferring wealth from the impatient to the patient.’ I believe this principle applies to our industry as well.
- Be consistent—this is one of the most important steps. You only achieve your goals through daily effort. You need to show up as a professional. Professionals get up every day and do the work.
As Steven Pressfield writes in The War of Art, ‘The warrior and the artist live by the same code of necessity, which dictates that the battle must be fought anew every day.’
Pic : Joven Roy
In my experience, it’s those challenging moments that serve as the perfect opportunity to develop your practice. When I was in a difficult phase a few years ago, I discovered a Japanese philosophy called Shokunin, which translates to craftsman spirit. I made a commitment to try to live by and learn from the rules of this philosophy, and although it wasn’t always easy, I found that it really helped me come back to a state of flow. According to Shokunin philosophy, a true master is always serious about his or her art, and always aspires to improve oneself and one’s work. One has to develop a respect for one’s tools and realise how much potential they hold in the right hands. It’s necessary to develop a consistent rhythm with your work. Showing up at your workspace at the same time every day is half the battle. Once you’ve showed up, the next step is to apply what you know and keep trying, day after day, even when the work isn’t as good as you’d like it to be. If you’ve showed up to work but don’t feel like creating, spend time doing things that support your work – if you’re a DJ, watch some music documentaries or catalogue your music. If you’re a producer, build your sample libraries, organise your hard drive or listen to music that inspires you. If you’re a painter, make sure all your supplies are neatly organised or take a trip to a museum for inspiration.
– Dualist Inquiry on Consistency
- Trust the process—you must believe in it. Doubt only sets you on the path to failure. In fact, Fall in love with the process itself. The outcome will come in time.
As Seneca wisely said, ‘A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.’
- Practice self-compassion—sometimes you’ll fail, and that’s okay. Take a step back, start again. You have time on your side; after all, life is the longest journey you’ll ever take. Remember, you’re only human.
- At the same time, practice Memento Mori—remember that you will die. Recognise that time is limited, and it’s one of the most valuable commodities we have.
In his Moral Letters to Lucilius, Seneca writes, ‘Wherever you go, there you are.’ What he meant is that true escape from the things that trouble you doesn’t come from changing your outside, but from transforming yourself. It’s not about being in a different place or doing different things, but about becoming a different person.
Have a nice day.
