The guitar master called my playing “sh**.” The picking wasn’t firm, the arrangements were too ordinary. I stuck with it and eventually became skilled at spotting the flaws he saw—on my own. His delivery made me flinch each time, but I’m grateful for his directness. It saved us both time and energy.
Rarely does it feel good when someone critiques our composition or arrangement. It can feel like a lack of encouragement or support, even if the intention was to help. Most people tend to withdraw rather than engage with that kind of feedback.
Personal belief vs results
Over the years, since I passed the IITJEE exam, I’ve had many conversations with students and families who expected to get into IIT. But often, those expectations weren’t grounded in the real requirements. Success in that exam—and in many areas—depends on knowing the exact syllabus, preparing it thoroughly, performing under pressure during the exam, and fitting the criteria that evaluators use. Personal belief alone doesn’t decide the outcome.
That’s why preparatory exams matter. They give a preview of what’s expected. The first one might not go well. Marks may be low, but that’s where the learning begins. Avoiding the feedback or resenting it means stepping off the path.
The systems in place existed before any of us, or as a collective agreement and the better we align with the expectations, more the progress becomes possible.
Real life and you
Playing a few notes and calling it a performance may work in private or among friends. But if the goal is to connect with a wider audience, the demands are different. The same applies to business ideas. If the intention is to create income or value out in the world, then the real questions need to be faced: Are people finding it useful? Does the product hold up? Are they likely to return or refer others?
It’s common to see online courses built as content dumps behind paywalls, with little attention to the learning experience. And then there’s confusion when buyers don’t return or ask for refunds. A strong course is like a well-built product. It guides the learner smoothly through clear outcomes, respecting their effort and time. That level of design takes deep thought and real effort—but it builds lifelong value.
The hidden skill gap
Many professionals—college teachers, musicians, therapists—are experts in their fields but haven’t been trained in teaching or product creation. That’s not a personal flaw, just a gap that can be acknowledged and addressed. Working with someone who understands structure, flow, and how to retain users can turn a decent idea into a powerful, lasting asset.
Tending towards improvement
Structures and frameworks exist in every field—even in the most creative ones. The aim isn’t to limit uniqueness, but to hold it in a form others can use and value. Letting go of pride, welcoming feedback, and returning to a learner’s mindset opens the door to better products and more fulfilling work.
Those who’ve created real wealth through their products often know something that goes beyond general knowledge. It’s a learned craft—just like music. Hitting strings randomly doesn’t make a song. Similarly, deep life experience alone doesn’t guarantee effective product design. But the good news is: it can be learned, and every step toward that clarity is worthwhile.