Shine Bright and Start Strong Series: A Better Mindset to Achieve Success
So far in this series we’ve addressed:
- How to set SMART goals (that you’ll actually achieve)
- How to be more organized and efficient as a student
In this final installation of the Shine Bright and Start Strong Series we’ll discuss how to cultivate a better mindset to ensure effective sessions, and ultimately, your success.
We understand that sessions can be stressful. Whether you are struggling with:
- A challenging school subject,
- Scaling up your musical skills, or
- Learning an art technique
There can be frustrations, stresses, and days when it just plain doesn’t make sense.
The key is to not let your frustrations get to you. And this simple technique can help you when the stress of a session is too much.
STEP 1: Close your eyes and take a deep breath in, then exhale for eight seconds.
Really control yourself to slow the breath for the full eight seconds. Repeat this breathing 5 times.
STEP 2: Identify what’s frustrating.
Do you keep forgetting the same vocabulary words? Do your fingers keep stumbling over that one part of the song you’re practicing? Identify it and verbalize it. Say “I’m frustrated because…”
STEP 3: Give yourself some perspective and kindness.
If this is your first time doing something, it’s going to be challenging. You’re not supposed to be an expert on the first try, and no one expects you to be.
If you were listening to your best friend getting frustrated over something, you’d make sure they weren’t beating themselves up. You’d try to make them feel better, right? Give yourself the same grace and kindness.
STEP 4: Give yourself some encouragement.
Keep pretending you’re talking to your best friend and trying to make them feel better. Give yourself a positive mantra, like some of the ones below:
- Today’s been hard, but tomorrow will be better.
- I am doing my best, and that’s enough.
- I didn’t get it at first, but I will get it.
- I got this!
Never forget that your tutor or educator is there to support you. If something isn’t making sense and you’re feeling upset about it, let us know! We’ll try a new approach and help you through this activity to make sure you’re learning.
Schedule your first session with Hodis Learning & Music today and keep an eye out for our next blog post!
Rachel is the Director of Marketing at Hodis Learning & Music. She has years of experience in marketing and public relations. Rachel is also an experienced reading, writing, English, and Spanish tutor.