The Mind Over Finger Podcast - 243 You're Closer Than You Think: The Mindset Shift That Will Move the Needle

Starting point is 00:00:00 You're listening to The Mind Over Finger Podcast, episode 243. Welcome to The Mind Over Finger Podcast, where we dive into the world of mindful music making, peak performance, and crafting a purpose-driven life and career. I'm your host, violinist, certified performance and life coach for musicians, and your guide to unlocking your full potential, Dr. René-Paul Gaultier. Hi, musician friend. I hope you're doing great. Every month inside the Music Mastery Experience, that's my coaching program, from September to May, I lead a training or a workshop, whatever you want to call it. And this month of December was all about setting yourself up,

Starting point is 00:00:50 not just with goals, but setting yourself up with the identity, the mindset, and the clarity that actually moves the needle. And I thought I have to share some of it with you here on the podcast too. So today I wanted to give you one of the most powerful mindset shifts that I use with my clients, that I use with myself. It's simple, it's practical, it's powerful, and I really think it has the potential to truly change the way you move through your days as a musician. Maybe you're already familiar with this. If so, I hope it's a good reminder for you. But if not, I swear to you, this is really powerful stuff. What I'm talking about today is the be, do, have model or approach. Let me explain what I mean. Most musicians,

Starting point is 00:01:48 actually most people live backwards. They think, and that used to be me. They think if I just do more, I will have success. And then I'm going to feel confident. Then I'm going to feel happy. Then I'm going to feel like an accomplished musician. That sounds logical, right? But in reality, that mindset often leads to burnout, to practicing out of fear, to never feeling there yet. And even when the result comes, maybe it's the praise, maybe you get the gig you wanted, the audition win, the performance with flow, it still doesn't feel like enough. Because deep down, you're still waiting to become the person who believes in their success. So let's look at what backwards versus aligned looks like. Let's start with the do-have-be

Starting point is 00:02:56 model which is what a lot of people operate from. You might tell yourself things like if I practice more hours and I push harder, that's do, then I'm going to win the audition or finally get recognition. That's what you're going to have. And then I'm going to feel confident or I'm going to feel like an accomplished musician. That's the B. So that's the do have B. If I practice more hours, if I push harder, I'm going to win the audition. I'm going to get the recognition, and then I'm going to feel confident and accomplished. What happens when you use this approach is you overwork. You burn out. You never feel like it's enough. Even when you get the gig, even when you get the praise, you're going to get that imposter syndrome creeping in.

Starting point is 00:03:51 Does that sound familiar? The confidence is short-lived because it was not built on identity. It was built on achievement. And if you're not very good at noticing all of the small victories along the way, then you're never going to feel like you're achieving anything because you cannot see it. This is super toxic long-term. So what we do is we flip it. Be, do, then have. So instead of waiting to be confident after you succeed, you decide to be the confident musician now. You let that version of you decide how to show up. And if you need evidence to believe that you deserve to be confident, look for it. It's there, I guarantee you. Give yourself permission to feel confident now. Let's look at what the be, do, have model looks like. This is when you're

Starting point is 00:05:01 aligned. This is when you say things like, I decide to be grounded or I decide to be a confident professional musician today, you are. So I show up with focus, clarity, and trust in the practice room. This is what you do. And over time, I create consistently excellent performances and opportunities than you have. So what happens when you start with this identity first? Because I decide to be a grounded, confident, professional musician today, then you practice with intention instead of panic. You're more resilient. You enjoy the process. And you're no longer relying on external winds to prove your worth. And the results come as a byproduct of who you've become. And they are consistent because they are

Starting point is 00:06:05 rooted in identity. So let's just say that the old you says, if I just practice four hours a day, I finally will sound like I belong. That's the backwards model. What if you said, I am grounded. I am intentional. I'm a musician who trusts their process. That's your B. then what would that version of you do today that version of you who's grounded who's intentional that version of you who trust their process well maybe they don't scroll on their phone the second practice feels hard maybe they work that tricky passage slowly with full attention instead of skipping it Maybe they record themselves even though it feels vulnerable because they know that it makes them

Starting point is 00:07:03 stronger. Then what do you have as a result of these actions? Well, you get clear progress, you get better performance, and most importantly, you get more peace, you get more trust, and you get more joy in the process. And it starts with who you decide to be. Not someday. Today. Right now. And by the way, this whole idea, that's not just coaching fluff.

Starting point is 00:07:39 It's backed by research. Psychologists have found that when you believe you're capable and grounded, you're more likely to take aligned action. you're more likely to bounce back from setbacks and you actually perform better. That's called self-efficacy and it's been studied for decades. So to put it simply, when you think like the musician you want to become or the person you want to become, your brain and your body start to follow. There's also something called identity-based motivation.

Starting point is 00:08:16 and that's the idea that how you see yourself changes what you do. I mean that makes so much sense right? So when you choose to embody the grounded intentional version of yourself today your practice your mindset and your progress all shift in really meaningful ways aligned with this identity. Again, identity-based motivation. It's science, folks. Right? It's not magic. And it works. And I'm going to put some links in the show notes for you if you're curious about this. Let me give you another example. Let's just say that the old you says, if I just get this next audition, I will finally feel like I'm enough. Again, that's the backwards model? What if you said, I'm a grounded artist who trusts their preparation and shows up with

Starting point is 00:09:14 purpose? That is your B. Then what would that version of you do today? That version of you who's the grounded artist who trusts their preparation and shows up with purpose? Maybe they set clear practice goals instead of spinning and overwhelm. Maybe they take a walk before a run through to settle their nervous system. Maybe they reflect on what's working, not just what needs fixing. Perfectionism, anyone? And what do you have as a result? More stability, more connection to your music, more belief in yourself, no matter the outcome. This starts, I'm going to say it again, with who you choose to be. And you get to decide that right now. To get what you want, be the version of yourself who already has it. So here's my invitation to you as we move into

Starting point is 00:10:21 the new year. Ask yourself, who is the version of me that I want to become? Who do I need to be to take inspired action and create my desired results? And it's not just about what you achieve. It's about how you show up. So ask yourself, what do I believe? What do I no longer tolerate? How do I move through setbacks? What kind of energy do I bring into the room? Then pick one action that version of you would take today and do it. That is how change starts, not with a long to-do list, but with a shift in who you're becoming and the way you move through your day. So inside of the Music Mastery Experience, we walk through this entire framework step-by-step with some questions and some prompts, and it's been such a powerful process.

Starting point is 00:11:36 I put together a worksheet for my clients for this workshop, and I've decided to share it with you. So you can walk through it too. You can grab it right now. I'm going to put the link in the show notes and you can answer all of the prompts and explore all of these questions leading to this identity that creates what you want in the new year. It might be the clarity you've been craving as you step into this new season of your playing and your life.

Starting point is 00:12:07 And by the way, one more thing before I go. So there's one of my favorite techniques that I didn't share here today, but it's in the handout. And if you're curious to hear more about this, catch the next episode where I'm going to talk about that. It's simple, but incredibly effective when you're trying to stay in alignment with your goals. So make sure to keep an eye out for this coming soon. So this is what I have for you today. you've got this my friend there are amazing things for you ahead in the new year just let your future self take the lead I send you lots of love and there you have it thank you so much for spending this time with me today

Starting point is 00:13:02 If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love it if you'd share with your friends and colleagues. Take a screenshot, post it on social media, and tag me. I'm mind over finger everywhere. I always love hearing your favorite takeaways. And if you're ready to take your playing career to the next level, I'd love to invite you to join the Music Mastery Experience. This is my signature group coaching program where we're going to dive deep into building your confidence and mastery and set you up for success and fulfillment in your life and career.

Starting point is 00:13:38 You can find all the details at mindoverfinger.com. While you're there, check out the free downloads and online courses available to support your journey even further. And don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter so you never miss an update or a tool to help you thrive. Again, thank you for being here. Until next time, much love and à bientôt.

The Mind Over Finger Podcast - 243 You're Closer Than You Think: The Mindset Shift That Will Move the Needle

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