And through this new series, I hope to use my background in Psychology to break down and document every single thought process that shaped my own journey in preparing for this exam as a normal human being — not a child prodigy with 8 hours to spare.

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This is work that I have spent my whole adult life researching, refining, and living through personally.

Today’s topic is: Mental Health and Tempo Choice. Let’s begin.

Like many adults working towards this level of piano playing, you may find yourself aspiring to perform everything perfectly from memory, from beginning to end, just like the competition winners you see on YouTube.

But sooner or later, you begin to realise just how unbelievably difficult that task truly is — especially as a working adult balancing responsibilities, work, and family.

And at some stage, you must learn to tell yourself:

“This performance is good enough for now.”

Do not let the perfectionist in you burn you out.

You can be strict with yourself. But you must also realise that it is unrealistic to play perfectly 24/7.

You are bound to make mistakes, and it is okay. After all, you are playing some of the most difficult works in music history.

You must remember: it is better to consistently play at 60% speed with good control than to risk burning out chasing perfection at 100% speed.

Because if you are burnt out, you will give up.

And Rule #1 is:

Do not give up.