I used to create a choir from scratch over six rehearsals – all strangers, no auditions. We would then present a concert of the songs we’d learnt. I was always amazed at how good we sounded.
One day one of the participants explained: “There’s no way we’re going to be perfect with so few rehearsals, so we let go of that possibility.”
I’m always trying to get singers out of their heads (see The only thing stopping you from being a better singer is …).
It’s your thoughts that get in the way of doing the job at hand: singing.
I often say that your mouth knows more than your brain does.
If you start the learning or rehearsal process with loads of expectations, you’re bound to be disappointed. If you expect (at some point) to be perfect, you’re doomed to failure.
However, if you start with a beginner’s mind and just get on with the job, you’re more likely to succeed.
If you let go of the possibility of being perfect, it leaves your subconscious free to focus on the task of learning instead of worrying about outcomes.
Surprisingly, that means that you can often end up being perfect after all.
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Why be perfect when you can be great?
Chris Rowbury
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