There’s a trap waiting for every artist out there—and no, it’s not a shady manager or a sketchy pay-to-play showcase. It’s more subtle. More common. And way more toxic.
It’s comparison.
It’s competition.
And if you’re not careful, it can slowly suck the joy right out of creating. Let me explain.
Back in the Lexicon days, I used to get caught up in all of it. If we played a packed show, I wouldn’t just enjoy it—I’d analyze it. Did we pull as many people as the headliner? Did the opener get more merch sales?
I’d scroll through message boards (yes, we’re going that far back), checking how often we were mentioned compared to similar acts. I was obsessed with where we stood—how we measured up, how we ranked.
And the wild thing is… it never helped.
It didn’t make the music better. It didn’t make the fans more loyal. It didn’t bring joy, clarity, or confidence.
It just made me anxious and distracted, because comparison kills creativity.
When you’re busy watching what other artists are doing, you lose touch with what makes you special. Your focus shifts from expressing yourself to outperforming someone else.
It’s exhausting, it’s unsustainable, and it’s the fastest way to disconnect from your own artistic voice.
These days, social media pours gasoline on the fire. You’re not just competing with your local scene—you’re scrolling through polished highlights from artists all over the world. It’s endless. And let’s be honest: it messes with your head.
Here’s the truth: the second you stop trying to “keep up,” everything gets lighter.
You take back your energy.
You reclaim your purpose.
You stop chasing someone else’s version of success and start building your own.
The artists who stand out aren’t the ones obsessing over numbers—they’re the ones deeply connected to their art. They create fearlessly. They experiment. They evolve. The numbers happen on their own, as a by-product of their dedication to creating.
And fans? They feel that. They respond to that.
So What Can You Do?
1. Limit the scroll. Take breaks from social media when you feel that creeping pressure to compare.
2. Celebrate your wins. Big or small. Every new fan, every new song, every moment of progress counts.
3. Collaborate, don’t compete. The best growth comes from building community, not battling over imaginary territory.
4. Focus on your zone of genius. What do you do better than anyone else? Get obsessed with that.
5. Remember: You’re on your own timeline. There is no behind. There is only your path, and your pace.
And if you need support? That’s where we come in.
At CentPourCent, we help artists cut through the noise and build a presence rooted in authenticity. We don’t do cookie-cutter campaigns or copycat strategies. We help you show up as you—loud, proud, and unmistakable.
Because at the end of the day, there’s no competition when you’re fully in your own lane.
So stop watching. Stop comparing.
Create with intent. Move with purpose.