The Happy Musician Coach
I have various strategies to help you be a happy musician but, I wanted to give you a quick guide you could refer to help get you started.
After you have read the quick guide, dig into the Happy Musician Strategies and see how you can build on this guide.
I have also included a printable version of this guide. (see below)
Choose to focus on the present
When you are present you can truly appreciate what you have, you will thrive as a musician and create meaningful connections. When you choose to be grateful for the present, your future will become brighter.
Journal
Before or after practice write down what you are grateful for and what makes you happy.
Redirecting your attention to gratitude helps clear the mind and allows you to be in the present.
Watch what you say
“Self-talk” -- is the conversation you have in your head about yourself and the world around you.
Work at it, positive self-talk is like learning a new piece. At first, it's slow and uncomfortable but after practice, it becomes a part of you, and you will barely need to think about it.
Accept compliments
At your worst, say thank you, at your best, say thank you.
Compliments are a way of a person showing gratitude and appreciation at that moment. No matter how you feel about a piece or a performance, acknowledge it.
Just clear your mind and focus on the person and the compliment.
Let it go
Remember that performance you totally bombed in? Remember that piece you didn't give enough attention to? Oh, that opportunity you missed because you had another commitment? Remember that person that made you feel you weren't good enough? LET IT GO.
Holding on to things like this takes so much away, it eats at the passion and your surety as a musician. Letting go will reverse all that.
Make the Choice:
You must consciously choose to stop telling the story over and over and reliving the negative situation.
Let go of what hurt you, hold on to what it taught you.
Find an outlet for the hurt. Journal about it, and talk about it.
Explore why you're hurt, frustrated or angry, then explore what you have learned, and what you will do with what you’ve learned.
Forgive (yourself and others)
Forgiving others is a way of tangibly letting something go. It’s also a way of empathizing with the other person and trying to see things from their point of view.
Forgive yourself allows you to stop beating yourself up. You give yourself permission to move on and redirect your energy and focus.
Celebrate
When working as a musician we can easily forget we are loved, appreciated, and needed. In the midst of the grit of music, it's important to take a moment, a few hours, or a day to celebrate how far you have come and what you have yet to conquer.
Share your skill
Offering your newfound skill is another way of celebrating yourself. Help out another musician who can benefit from what you learned, while the experience is still fresh.
Give Credit Where It’s Due: give credit to anyone that has helped you acquire your skill.
Express Gratitude: when “bragging” tell people how grateful you are for the opportunity you had and the support you have.
Brag
Give Credit Where It’s Due: give credit to anyone that has helped you acquire your skill.
Express Gratitude: when “bragging” tell people how grateful you are for the opportunity you had and the support you have.
Relax
You have been working intensely take a moment to breathe. You should give your body a break, maybe get a massage. You can definitely celebrate yourself quietly as long as you celebrate.
Quietly Journal about it.
Go for a walk and digest what you have accomplished.
Candace Lark
Musician, Coach, Educator
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