According to research conducted at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya , there is a discovered correlation between anxiety and heightened intelligence, indicating that individuals with anxiety tend to possess greater creativity. It is not uncommon to find that creative individuals, such as artists, actors, singers, and others, often grapple with various forms of anxiety. The main connection between anxiety and creativity is the imagination factor.
The remarkable aspect of the human brain is the ability to generate brilliant ideas, magnificent melodies, and exceptional compositions. However, this same mind is also capable of envisioning repetitive thoughts and distressing scenarios due to its boundless imagination.
OCD is often related to perfectionism, although it is essential to understand that OCD is a complex and multifaceted mental health condition. Perfectionism can be one of the many factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of OCD symptoms in some individuals. (I can count myself in as I have had experienced OCD 9 years ago, and I totally understand the feelings and the control it has on our mind, it's like being stuck, in a loop, same thoughts over and over, the feeling that it is not ''right'', the uncomfortable constant feeling.
Perfectionism in the context of music artists refers to the tendency of musicians or performers to strive for flawless execution and the highest possible standards in their music or performances. It is a personality trait or characteristic that drives them to pursue excellence, often with an intense focus on refining every aspect of their work.
You may have the following traits or behaviours:
Paying meticulous attention to every aspect of your music, including composition, arrangement, lyrics, instrumentation, and production. You may spend a significant amount of time perfecting even the smallest elements.
You set exceedingly high standards for yourself and you may feel dissatisfied with your work unless it meets these lofty expectations. This can lead to a constant pursuit of improvement and a sense of never being fully satisfied with your achievements.
You are likely to devote extensive time to practice and rehearsal to ensure your performances are flawless. You may rehearse extensively to achieve precision and consistency in your playing.
Perfectionists often engage in self-criticism, evaluating their performances and recordings with a critical eye. While self-assessment can be valuable for growth, excessive self-criticism can lead to self-doubt and anxiety.
Performance Anxiety: The fear of making mistakes during live performances or studio recordings can be more pronounced in perfectionist musicians. This anxiety may drive them to put extra pressure on themselves, affecting their overall enjoyment of the musical process.
Perfectionists may be inclined to make numerous revisions to their work, never fully considering it finished. This can lead to delays in releasing music or reluctance to share their work with the public until they feel it meets their standards.
While perfectionism can be a driving force for some musicians to achieve greatness and produce exceptional work, it can also present challenges. The quest for perfection may lead to creative blocks, burnout, and feelings of inadequacy. Striking a balance between striving for excellence and embracing imperfections can be crucial for an artist's overall well-being and artistic growth. Additionally, learning to accept that music is an art form where subjective interpretations and imperfections can add character and authenticity to the performance can be a valuable mindset shift for perfectionist musicians. Accept things as they are if you can't do more, not even our bodies aren't perfect, one calf of the leg it's bigger then another, one breast it's bigger than another, and our fingers and toes are not meant to be perfect either.
Strategies to cope with the fear of not meeting expectations.
Break the Cycle of Self-Doubt - take out that music from the archive, is there, to give it life by bringing it out to the light, because that is the reason you done it. One can not hear your music if you are not expose it. Remember, not everyone will resonate with it and that is fine, we all vibrate at a different frequency, who ever resonates with it is welcome to appreciated it, while who doesn't, is free to avoid it, we cannot please everyone, and that's for sure.
Using Perfectionism Positively - use it for as long it makes you feel good instead of overfocused onto something that there is nothing more to be added, it's done, accept it as it is and move on.
How to enhance the quality of music - accept that the next project will be improved because now you know better, you can do better.
Seek feedback and collaboration to improve without getting lost in perfectionism. Building a supportive community and helping each others on our journey of life. It is important to connecting with fellow artists for support and understanding, growing togheter can help combat perfectionism-related challenges.
Embracing Imperfection as Part of the Art - this is what is making it special, everything is unique, including us, there isn't another human like you or me, and that is our super power, free to feel different. This requires practice of self-development.
Withney Houston has been heard and seen in videos stating ''Can I be me?'' over the presssure she had encountered during her 35 years career as an artist due to ''perfectionism'' and much more.
Growth comes from learning and improving, not from reaching unattainable perfection.
Enjoy the creative journey rather than solely focusing on the end result.
Practical Strategies for Letting Go
Learn to let go of a piece and knowing when it's time to move on, remember that it's okay not to have everything figured out.
Care for your well being, the connection of your mind with the body and the spirit.
Set Realistic Goals: Break down big tasks into smaller, achievable goals. It's easier to celebrate progress when you have bite-sized victories.
Learn from Mistakes: Mistakes are not setbacks; they're lessons in disguise. Embrace them, learn from them, and use them as stepping stones to improvement.
Challenge Negative Thoughts: Your mind can be a tricky place. Challenge those negative thoughts that fuel perfectionism. Ask yourself, "Is this thought helping or hindering me?"
Celebrate Progress: Don't wait for perfection to celebrate. Acknowledge and celebrate your progress along the way. Small victories deserve big cheers!
Time Management: Set realistic timelines for your tasks. Avoid the last-minute rush, and give yourself the gift of time to do things well, not necessarily perfectly.
Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness you'd offer a friend. Remember, you're a work in progress, and that's absolutely ok.
“Perfectionism is not the key to success. In fact, it often prevents you from success.” - Marilu Henner
“Perfectionism is simply putting a limit on your future. When you have an idea of perfect in your mind, you open the door to constantly comparing what you have now with what you want.” - John Legend
“Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough.” - Julia Cameron
Remember, progress, not perfection, is the name of the game. You've got this!
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