A friend of mine was “beating herself up” over having a bad diet day.”I’m such a pig! i ate two desserts!” This same friend has recently lost 20 pounds and has more self control than any of us. But she’s not perfect. I’m not either. And I bet you’re not either. It’s self-defeating to strive for perfection then get mad at yourself for being human. Dieting and becoming a musician are so similar! The road to becoming a skilled musician is always bumpy. It’s hard to learn this new technique or you mess up in a concert or contest. But if you are gradually getting better and working hard, that’s what’s important. Remember, what counts is progress, not perfection!