Imagine you have never eaten a piece of chocolate before. And then someone tells you how delicious it is. They describe all the rich ingredients, the beautiful aroma, and the satisfying pleasure of tasting it. They describe it perfectly, down to every detail. You might think you understand what it tastes like, but you don’t.
Then, someone comes along and simply hands you a piece of chocolate to taste. What a difference, right? It’s the same chocolate, the same ingredients, yet a completely different experience.
Similarly, there are artists who give “perfect” performances and those who give “excellent” performances. Technically, these performers might be at the same level, but the experience they offer is like night and day.
That’s because perfectionism and excellence come from completely different places and lead to completely different outcomes.
The Hidden Undertone of Perfectionism
Perfectionism is not the high standard it pretends to be. In reality, it’s a contractive energy—tight, anxious, and rooted in fear.
One of the biggest fears feeding perfectionism is the fear of being judged or seen as less than others.
Here’s how it goes: Deep down, if you feel “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t belong,” that belief will unconsciously drive you to prove your worth by obsessing over technical mastery while constantly comparing yourself to others. You get stuck in control, start avoiding vulnerability, and shut down your creativity—the very place where the magic happens.
Ironically, the more you try to be perfect to avoid judgment, the more disconnected and self-conscious you become, creating a cycle that feeds itself.
True Excellence Is Expansive
Excellence operates on a completely different frequency:
It’s rooted in love, not fear.
In trust, not control.
In vision, not ego.
Where perfectionism demands proof of worth, excellence invites you to express your truth and passion. It’s not about proving anything to anyone. It’s about serving something bigger—whether it’s music, storytelling, beauty, hope, or connection.
While perfectionism obsesses over flawlessness, excellence goes beyond. It’s about creating a powerful emotional experience and a heart-to-heart connection with your audience, letting them experience your soul, your joy, and your vision—just like tasting the chocolate.
True excellence happens when you trust yourself—your training, your intuition, and your inner guidance. When you shift from control to trust, your nervous system relaxes, your heart opens, and you become the channel, not the obstacle.
And that’s when the magic happens.
Three Powerful Shifts Toward Excellence
- Choose Self-Love Over Self-Judgment
Observe your inner dialogue. Is it loving and supportive or critical and demanding? Remember, excellence isn’t born from self-criticism—it’s born from self-trust. And self-trust comes from a positive relationship with yourself. Practice radical self-love and self-acceptance. When you start speaking kindly to yourself, you free yourself from the fear of judgment. This shift unlocks your authentic expression and creative flow.
- Create Your Unique Vision
Your imagination, your love for the art form, your unique experience of the music—these are what make your performance soulful, mesmerizing, and different from anyone else. Visualize what you want your audience to feel and immerse yourself in those feelings. Craft a vivid inner picture of the energy, the story, the emotional journey—not just the notes. The clearer and more vivid your vision is, the easier it is to bring it to life under pressure.
- Trust Your Preparation
Technical work is essential, but once you’ve prepared, switch from thinking to feeling.
Trust that your body and your training will support your vision. Move your attention from “getting it right” to following your imagination. That’s how you let your audience taste your soul rather than just hear you sing about it.
Where Art Meets Soul
Maya Angelou once said: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
This applies to performing more than anything. The artists we love and remember aren’t “perfect”—they are expressive. They are alive. They made us feel deeply.
And isn’t that the true purpose of art? Not to impress, but to move. Not to achieve flawlessness, but to reach into someone’s soul and make them feel seen, understood, uplifted, and transformed.
True artistry exists beyond perfection; it thrives in imagination, emotion, intuition, and connection. It lives in the courage to be vulnerable, the freedom to be authentic, and the willingness to offer something raw and real.
So, the next time you step into the spotlight, bring your soul, your passion, your story, and the emotions you want to ignite. You’ll allow your audience to taste something far more magical than perfection. You give them something they will never forget.
