Peak Performance for Musicians
Overcome Music Performance Anxiety with Mental Game Strategies
In the recent post, Focus On What YOU Can Control, we discussed the kind of focus many performers have that makes them fearful, anxious, and distracted by things that are outside of their control. When you focus on what is within your control, you will feel more confident and calm and ready to face performance challenges with a clear and present focus. What kind of focus do you need to … [Read more...]
You, like many musicians, may have heard things like, “You gotta be tough!” “You have to grow a thick skin!” or “Don’t wear your feelings on your sleeve!” At the same time, performers are supposed to get their TOUGH selves onto the stage and become vulnerable artists in order to share their music with the audience. Seems like a paradox? Let’s see if we can figure this … [Read more...]
A powerful force in the life of your performing will be your level of mental toughness. This toughness comes from responding to negative messages (thoughts & emotions) in an appropriate way. Being a mentally tough performer means that under the pressure of competition you can maintain a present focus and continue to think constructively, non-defensively, positively, and realistically--and … [Read more...]
If you are a performer who struggles with performance anxiety or you can't seem to perform as well as you practice, you may want to take a look at to what and where you are paying attention. Most performers who are anxious or fearful are paying attention to things outside of their control. The ability to concentrate in the present and to focus on the specific task at hand is extremely … [Read more...]
In a previous post, Performance Anxiety and SUPREME Goals, we looked at how setting good goals—SUPREME Goals (Specific, Uplifting, Paramount, Reachable, Exciting, Measurable, Enjoyable) can help performers maintain strong, stable confidence, lessen the effects of performance anxiety, and keep them focused on what is within their control and motivated to take action. Sounds like the magic pill … [Read more...]