Jacob Collier, a six-time Grammy winner, recently shared his unique approach to overcoming creative blocks by embracing the possibility of failure to liberate musicians from the paralyzing fear of perfection.

Facing the Fear of Failure

Collier acknowledges that the fear of creative stagnation is a common experience among artists.

“I don’t know any musicians or creative people who don’t know that feeling, because it’s just part of it,” he admits.

To navigate these moments, Collier emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and understanding one’s needs.

He suggests various approaches, from taking a walk to talking with friends, or even changing your environment to spark creativity.

Breaking Free from Expectations

A significant part of Collier’s strategy is shedding the weight of expectations.

“I find myself locked when I’m covered by expectation,” he says.

By letting go of the need for a project to meet certain standards, musicians can allow their creativity to flow more freely. Collier’s advice to “try and make the worst song in the world” is designed to remove the pressure to create something perfect.

This approach encourages artists to explore new ideas without the fear of judgment, similar to the concept of prioritizing fun and play in the creative process.

Surprising Results from Unlikely Places

Collier has found that aiming for intentional imperfection can lead to unexpectedly interesting outcomes.

“I’m perpetually surprised by how interesting my ideas become without the fear of them having to be good,” he notes.

By embracing the possibility of creating something “bad,” musicians can unlock a new level of creativity and innovation.

This aligns with the idea of separating the creative and editing processes, allowing for more uninhibited exploration during the initial stages of composition.

A Critique of Rick Rubin’s Philosophy

In addition to sharing his own creative strategies, Collier also offered a critique of veteran producer Rick Rubin’s philosophy on songwriting. Rubin has famously stated that the audience should come last in the creative process.

Collier, however, believes that this perspective may not resonate with inherently creative individuals.

“I would critique Rick in a sense that I don’t think his audience is creative people,” Collier said. “I think his audience is people who aren’t creative, for whom creativity is novel. And they’re thinking ‘Gosh, wow! I never even thought that you could make something for yourself!’ But I feel that anybody who’s inherently creative in some way knows that there’s no one way to do anything.”

Why This Matters

Jacob Collier’s advice to embrace imperfection and let go of expectations can be a game-changer for music producers. By removing the pressure to create something perfect, producers can experiment more freely and discover new, innovative sounds.

This approach not only fosters creativity but also helps artists develop a deeper understanding of their own creative processes.

For those feeling stuck or overwhelmed, Collier’s method offers a refreshing perspective on how to turn the fear of failure into a playground for innovation.