Perfectionism is NOT the Enemy - How ACT Can Help Singers Find Balance
06/03/2025
Perfectionism. It’s a word that carries a double edge. On one hand, it can drive you to refine your craft, pushing you toward excellence. On the other, it can leave you paralyzed, afraid to take risks, and endlessly self-critical. For you as a singer, this fine line between these 2 forms of perfectionism can mean the difference between growth and burnout.
The connection between voice and identity is profound. So from the very first day I started teaching, I’ve helped singers deal with performance anxiety.
When we sing, we don’t just make sounds; we show ourselves in a deeply vulnerable way. It’s no surprise that anxiety often comes with the territory.
Over the years, I’ve gained science-based skills to help singers navigate this challenge in private coaching, thanks to my extended training. Book your free discovery call here to find out whether I’m the teacher / coach you’re looking for!
If you struggle with a negative form of perfectionism, there are ways to find balance, manage nerves, handle self-doubt, and sing with greater freedom.
Last year, I invited Dr. David Juncos to lead a webinar on this very topic: Acceptance & Commitment Training for Improved Mental Health & Enhanced Performances.
In addition to the ACT webinar, I offer two more webinars that dive into how singers can handle stress. Subscribe to The singsing! Sofa Library and watch the recordings of all these sessions that will teach you to manage perfectionism in a way that supports, rather than hinders, your growth.
Understanding Adaptive vs. Maladaptive Perfectionism
Here’s what I’ve learned about perfectionism when Dr. David Juncos trained me to use Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) when I teach singers.
Adaptive perfectionism is your friend. It’s the type of perfectionism that motivates you to practice, improve, and strive for high standards, without destroying your confidence. This mindset embraces mistakes as learning opportunities and allows for flexibility in the face of challenges.
According to Enns et al. (2001), adaptive perfectionism is characterized by:
- Striving for success
- Maintaining high standards that align with personal strengths
- Having a sense of self-worth that is independent of performance
- Timely task completion
- Balanced thinking
- The ability to modify standards based on the situation
Maladaptive perfectionism, on the other hand, is the inner critic that never shuts up. It tells you that your performance is never good enough, keeps you stuck in over-analysis, and makes you fear judgment.
Instead of helping you grow, it traps you in anxiety and avoidance.
Enns et al. (2001) describe maladaptive perfectionism as:
- Having inflexibly high standards (often beyond what is expected)
- A deep fear of failure
- A constant focus on avoiding mistakes
- Tying self-worth to performance
- Being associated with procrastination
- Fostering black-and-white thinking (perfection vs. failure)
So how do you shift from maladaptive to adaptive perfectionism? This is where ACT comes in.
How ACT Helps You Step Out of the Perfectionism Trap
ACT isn’t about fighting your inner critic or forcing yourself to “just be confident.” Instead, it teaches you to accept uncomfortable thoughts and emotions while committing to meaningful actions.
For example, if you’re stuck in self-doubt before a performance, ACT helps you:
- Acknowledge those thoughts without letting them dictate your actions
- Shift your focus from self-judgment to meaningful artistic expression
- Cultivate a flexible, values-driven mindset instead of rigid thinking patterns
In the webinar, Dr. David Juncos explains how this approach helps singers break free from maladaptive perfectionism’s grip that goes hand in hand with music performance anxiety.
Want to Dive Deeper?
If this resonates with you, there are two ways to take the next step:
Book your free discovery call here and work with me 1-on-1! If you’re struggling with maladaptive perfectionism or performance anxiety, I can help you integrate ACT strategies into your singing journey.
Because your voice deserves to be heard!
Or subscribe to The singsing! Sofa Library and watch the recordings of these 3 sessions that will teach you to manage perfectionism in a way that supports, rather than hinders, your growth.
Marie Valembois - Vocational Singer
Marie Valembois - Vocational Singer
I discovered values I was not fully consciously aware of and what singing and performing actually mean to me. I strongly believe this method will add extra layers of mildness, joy and a much clearer view on my purposes. I can’t wait to discover more!
Kelly Van Hove - Entertrainer focused on Soft HR & communication workshops / Vocational Musical Theatre Singer
Gemma Milburn - UK based Singer and Vocal Coach
Katrin - Professional Speaker & Relationship Therapist
Kaat Arnaert, Singer, Actress & Drama teacher
Paulina Kordylas - Singer & Voice teacher
Nele - Singer & Youth library worker
As always, feel free to send me your thoughts, questions, and feedback in the comments below this blog, via the contact form or in the singsing! online community 
Cordially,
Sarah