Creative Strings with Violinist Christian Howes Overcome Perfectionism as Musicians w/ Dr. Ellen Hendriksen
Jan 31, 2025
Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, a clinical psychologist and author known for her expertise in anxiety and perfectionism, joins the conversation to tackle the challenges musicians face with self-criticism. They discuss the roots of perfectionism and its impact on self-worth, emphasizing the balance between high standards and self-acceptance. Dr. Hendriksen shares powerful strategies to embrace imperfection and foster a healthier mindset. This insightful dialogue reveals how musicians can navigate societal pressures and improve their mental health while pursuing excellence.
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Perfectionism Definition
- Perfectionism is demanding a higher performance level than needed.
- It combines conscientiousness with self-criticism and over-evaluation of performance, linking it to self-worth.
Holdsworth's Self-Criticism
- Christian Howes shared how guitarist Alan Holdsworth, despite being legendary, constantly criticized his playing.
- This highlights how perfectionism affects even high achievers.
Specific Evaluation
- Evaluate your work with specific criteria and keep score.
- This helps avoid all-or-nothing thinking and promotes objective assessment.
