We recently connected with Shawn O’Donnell and have shared our conversation below.
Shawn, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I don’t think the imposter syndrome ever fully goes away. There will always be someone else who’s better, faster, stronger. The way I like to have a healthy relationship with this phenomenon is knowing that while you may always feel inferior in some way, no one will ever be as good as you are at being yourself. It may sound corny or generic but it’s the truth; once you lean in to what makes you different you’ll finally be able to truly express yourself in the most authentic way.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a singer-songwriter that collaborates with EDM producers from around the world along with being a touring/session guitarist. Outside of my artist career, I coach aspiring songwriters on how to unlock their songwriting voice and delevop a songwriting process. I find being able to work with songwriters like myself to be very fulfilling and therapeutic. It’s really cool to watch people gain the confidence to finally tell their stories in the ways they’ve always wanted to but never knew how!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Authenticity – Whether it’s in reference to your songwriting or just your values as individual, being honest and real with always connect most with people. So be true to yourself!
2. Consistency – The 10,000 hour rule is a real thing. Sure, you may feel like you don’t have time to be a songwriter or do the things you love but what it’s a heck of a lot more effective to spend even as little as 30 minutes (even just 10 minutes!) working to improve a skill or hobby everyday that not at all.
3. Do what makes you happy – We only here for a short time. No point in wasting that freedom even if you feel like it’s too late to start. Whatever you’ve been spending far too long telling yourself you can’t do, trust me, you got this. Go for it dude!
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
Someone ready to make the change they need to in their life. Not being afraid to invest in themself even if that means being a little uncomfortable for a little bit in order to get that dream outcome they’ve always wanted. I find the most success is had from both the client and coaching side when people are truly ready become that 2.0 version of themself. It’s all a mindset more than anything! Once that’s there, anything is possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lyricandmelodyunlocked.com/home
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/shawnomusic
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/shawnodonnellmusic
Image Credits
Photography by Carli (@doublewide00) and Larry (@sekondtry)
