🕊️ Break Free From Perfectionism

Composing a minute of music used to take me 20+ hours. I wanted every second to be perfect. But no matter how long I worked, I was never happy with the finished product. 

I had to learn how to let go of perfectionism to keep my passion for composing alive.

Here's four strategies I use every day to avoid the perfectionist trap:

Give Yourself Less Time 

According to Parkinson's Law, work expands to fill the time allotted. By setting shorter deadlines, you're forced to focus on the most important aspected of your music and work more efficiently.

Aim for Completion

It's better to finish a piece than to endlessly perfect it. Completion gives you a sense of accomplishment and helps you move on to the next project. Remember, you can always come back later to make improvements.

Save It For Later

Being too critical of your work-in-progress can slow you down, and even cause you to abandon the project altogether. Wait until you've finished your piece to analyze it. Make a list of what could be improved, and select one item to focus on in your next composition.

Growth Takes Time

Don't be discouraged if you don't see immediate results. Focus on making small improvements day by day, and over time you'll see the results of your hard work. The only person you should compare yourself to is the person you were yesterday.