The uncertainty never goes away

I've just finished editing all the videos for Art of Double Bass 3.0, which is launching September 1st. When that last video was done, I heaved a sigh of relief and was satisfied I'd created something much better than my previous course.

But the next day, I began to get anxious.

When I was checking through the videos, my brain wanted to fix things. "I should explain this part better." "I should add a science reference here." "I should reshoot this exercise video because the pedal doesn't sound as loud on the practice pad as the other exercise."

I spent the rest of the day editing parts of my script and then I realized that I became even more anxious.

I had to stop and examine where that anxiety came from...

It comes from uncertainty. Uncertainty how this new course will be received at launch. Uncertain how many people would actually buy it. How many would be genuinely helped by it. Or am I just creating another useless purchase.

But I knew I had to stop. Because if I operated in this mode, whatever I build would suffer.

There's another product that I'm working non-stop at with my software developer — The AODB Training App, also coming out with the new course. And this product has given me even more anxiety from uncertainty. "It's not proven." "Can we really make this huge project run smoothly?" "How many would get it at launch?"

And it's a constant tug of war going on in my head. The more people put deposits for the app between now and launch, the more anxious I become to make the best product. But if fewer people deposit, then my mind will think I've failed to hit my goals.

After a few days of idiotic brain mulling. I was in the shower and then I realized, every other time was exactly the same.

Every other launch I did. My first beginner drumming course(total flop). AODB 1.0. My first Dojo opening. Every subsequent Dojo opening (there's been 6 total). My 2 t-shirt merchandise launch. It was all uncertain. Some of it exceeded my expectations. Some of it was meh. Some of it flopped (my first 3 product launches).

And it's been like this for almost every goal I pursue. Including double bass, where there were so many months and years of uncertainty. "Would I be able to play this fast?" "Perhaps never, I really suck today."

Now I'm looking back at all of it at 39 years old. And I guess the thing that I wanted to share with you is... is that I'm glad despite the uncertainty, I still pressed ahead to the finish line every one of those times.

Because as many wise people have said. Finishing your goals gives you the biggest reward. Even if it flops (my first beginner drum course, my first 2 t-shirt launches, the 1369th day I tried to get to 200bpm).

Every flop taught me a bigger lesson than each success. And uncertainty was a constant before every finish line.

So this uncertainty that I'm feeling yet again — is a precious gift. Though it doesn't take it away hahaha.

Don't stop dreaming, and don't stop drumming.

Wei Lung

P.S. If you're curious about the AODB Training App that I'm building, it's launching soon and you can take a look at what's inside here: https://artofdoublebass.com/training-app