Perfectionism Resources

Navigating the Challenges of Perfectionism in Music

Feb 10th, 2022 Oscarson Lecture

Frequently Asked Questions

Balance
Comparison
Compassion for Others
- How can I best show compassion towards my peers who struggle with perfectionism and other stress and anxiety?
Mistakes
- How can I accept that mistakes are a natural part of progress and a part of life as a musician?
- How can I cope with mistakes while I’m striving for the highest level of professionalism in my playing?
Music Performance Anxiety (MPA)
- I have always suffered from a debilitating form of performance anxiety. What are some resources or techniques to combat anxiety while performing?
Perfectionism
Practice
Self-Talk
- How do I move forward when I’m constantly beating myself up?
Standard of Excellence
Studio
- Sometimes I feel overlooked by my professor because I’m not a performance major and don’t feel like he’s as invested in my musical journey, especially when I hear things he talks about with other people in my studio. Any advice?
- Why is it so much harder to play well for my lesson than it is at home?
Worth
- How do you define your value/worth as a musician?
- What are things I can do to reinforce my confidence as a musician?

Helpful Books

Effortless Mastery

Kenny Werner

Grit

Angela Duckworth

David and Goliath

Malcolm Gladwell

Bonds of Anguish, Bonds of Love

Terry Warner (Ch. 7 Self-Doubt)

Performance Anxiety Strategies

McGrath, Hendricks, & Smith

The Mindful Musician

Vanessa Cornett

Growth Mindset

Carol Dweck

Atomic Habits

James Clear

Websites

https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

https://angelabeeching.com/

https://bulletproofmusician.com/

https://www.musicianshealth.com/selfcare-for-musicians

https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/news/blog/managing-music-performance-anxiety

https://playinthezone.com/performance-anxiety-tips-music/

General Conference Talks / BYU Speeches / Church Literature

Perfection Pending
By Russell M. Nelson

Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually
By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

His Grace Is Sufficient
By Brad Wilcox

What Do You Expect?: A Key to Personal Happiness
By Jeffry H. Larson

“Be Ye Therefore Perfect”
By Cecil O. Samuelson

Finding Strength in Christ
By Michael D. Barnes

"Be Ye Therefore Perfect" - The Elusive Quest for Perfection
By Frank F. Judd Jr.

Perfectionism: A Toxic Game of “Spot-the-Difference”
By Nathan Read

Nobody’s Perfect: A Look at Toxic Perfectionism and Depression
By Joanna Benson and Lara Jackson

Nobody’s Perfect: Excellence Instead of Perfection
By Joanna Benson and Lara Jackson

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