Perfectly Imperfect: The Value of Building Grit in the Arts and the Role of Joy and Fun the Process

Kate Baucom
Sep 21
4 min read

When was the last time you allowed yourself to be really bad at something? Whether it is awkward-beginner bad, or the gloriously “this feels ridiculous” bad? Most of us resist trying something new because we want to feel competent, successful, or sometimes even perfect. It is very common for adults to feel this way, but it is becoming increasingly common in young people as well. This has been especially fueled by social media where kids are being flooded with videos and pictures of their peers performing or looking “perfect.”

In a society where only excellence is celebrated and perfectionism is a goal, we are going to be holding ourselves, and others back from the real magic of the creative and performing arts. Avoiding doing new things that we are bad at is hampering our growth. Genuine growth requires you to step out of your comfort zone. Play the wrong notes, forget your lines, completely botch the painting, but still be willing to try again, because that is where the magic happens.

Group of Young Girls performing on stage — Teens Singing and Dancing on Stage at a High School Musical Performance for Sound and Stage

Perfectionism: The Great Barrier to Creativity

Perfectionism is often misunderstood as a form of excellence. In reality, as author Anne Lamott explains in Bird by Bird, it serves more as an obstacle than a motivator. Maria Popova of Brain Pickings highlights Lamott’s observation that writers and artists can become immobilized by the enormity of the task before them, so much so that they never take the crucial first step.

This phenomenon is not limited to writing. It is the same paralysis that artists, musicians, and actors feel when confronted with a blank page, a daunting beginning, the memory of a past failure, or even the pressure of a past success. Perfectionism convinces us that unless we can achieve flawless results immediately, we should not attempt the task at all. Setting aside this mindset allows us to simply begin, and in doing so, we create the possibility of growth and discovery.

A blank page with a set of paint and paintbrushes — All Great Works Begin with a Blank Page or Blank Canvas. Just Begin.

Grit, Resilience, and the Role of the Arts

Angela Duckworth, a world-renowned author and scholar with a PhD in Psychology, who wrote the book: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. I would highly recommend reading or listening to her entire book, but if you don’t have time to do that right now, go watch her TED Talk, which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H14bBuluwB8

Angela Duckworth defines grit as the ability to sustain both interest and effort toward long-term goals. Her research demonstrates that grit, more than natural talent, strongly predicts achievement. Grit enables us to persist in deliberate practice, even when progress feels slow. Resilience enables us to recover from setbacks and recommit to our goals. Consider the example of a student learning a challenging piece of music. Initial attempts may be clumsy, especially when peers appear more advanced. Yet consistent daily practice eventually leads to fluidity and skill. The combination of perseverance and the capacity to rebound from mistakes transforms struggle into mastery. When it comes to the arts, there are two more things that we need to sprinkle into this winning combination: joy and fun!

A woman smiling while playing her ukulele with a blue background — North Inspires Students to Find the Joy in their Music and Art

Why Supportive Environments Matter

The freedom to find joy and remember the fun of the creative and performing arts, is what you’ll find at Sound and Stage Academy. It’s easier to let yourself fail forward when you’re surrounded by encouragement instead of criticism. Our teachers are here to help students laugh through the wrong notes, play with mistakes, and discover the joy of creativity without judgment.

Whether you’re learning improv, trying piano for the first time, or stepping into the world of theatre, we create a space where:

Mistakes are opportunities
Practice builds grit
Laughter fuels resilience
Progress matters more than perfection

The arts aren’t just about preparing kids for careers in music or theatre, they build creativity, adaptability, and confidence that carry into any career path.

A teacher leading 3 students in an improv exercise — Building Confidence through Improv Classes

Give Yourself Permission

Some of the most meaningful art is imperfect. Some of the most powerful performances are raw, messy, and real. And some of the greatest growth happens the moment you stop worrying about “getting it right” and simply allow yourself to try. Have your kids learn a new instrument, take a painting class, or an improv class. Even better, set an example for your kids and try something new yourself. Take singing lessons or come to paint and sip class. Allow yourself, and your kids, to be terrible at something because that’s where the magic begins.