The hardest thing to do is to keep on believing, but it's also the most important. Getting cuts is a sales job and belief is the foundation of sales. If you don't believe in the product (your songs), you're in the wrong business — find something else to do.

Sooner or later, and probably more than once, you will feel like giving up. Being prepared for this will help you get through it. Build a support group of people you believe in who also believe in you. Keep track of your progress and acknowledge even the little victories. Once a year, listen through your catalog to see how much you've learned. It can be hard to see how far you've come without looking back.