After attending a solo classical concert performed by an internationally renowned pianist, I had the opportunity to stay for a Q&A with a limited group. I asked the maestro for some tips about lowering stage anxiety and my self-consciousness about needing to create the perfect performance. He said, "Don't compare yourself to performances you've heard as recordings." Instead, I should use live performances as a benchmark because even some well known performers who claim they don't clean up their mistakes in the studio, actually do so - just like those people we've seen who say they don't lip sync but do. This was good to know because I may not have been comparing myself in a level playing field. Since his advice, I could relax and enjoy my own playing more, and also appreciate other's playing more, even when they make mistakes.