How to deal with negative thoughts and comments
Negativity can be an unwelcome companion on the journey of a singer. Whether it's internal doubts or external comments, learning how to deal with negativity is crucial for maintaining a positive and resilient mindset. In this blog, we'll explore effective strategies for navigating negative thoughts and comments on your singing journey.
Acknowledge and Reflect: The first step in dealing with negativity is acknowledging its presence. Reflect on the specific thoughts or comments that are affecting you. Are they internal doubts about your abilities, or are they external critiques? Identifying the source helps you understand the nature of the negativity. It might be something that you've heard a long time ago or something more recently, either way, identifying the underlying thought and reflecting on the fear connected to it will help you resolve it quicker.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Adopting a growth mindset involves seeing challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth. Embrace the idea that with dedication and practice, you can improve and overcome obstacles. Replace thoughts like "I can't do this" with "I haven't mastered this yet." Also, you don't need to be everyone's darling and you don't have to be perfect in order to be a masterful artist. In fact, being able to connect to your audience, touch your audience, and being vulnerable and courageous are even more important than being technically perfect singing.
Surround Yourself with Supportive People: Build a circle of supportive individuals who encourage and uplift you. Share your musical journey with friends, family, mentors, or fellow singers who provide constructive feedback and positive reinforcement. This is where your coach can play an important role too as they provide feedback and will build you up and strengthen your confidence. Having a supportive community can help counteract the impact of negativity.
Practice Mindfulness and Self-Compassion: Mindfulness techniques and self-compassion exercises can be powerful tools for managing negative thoughts. Practice being present in the moment, allowing yourself to experience challenges without judgment. Especially during practice time we want to eliminate the inner judge and break free from frustration. Frustration doesn't lead you anywhere. Focused practice will!
Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a friend facing similar difficulties.Focus on Your Progress: Celebrate your achievements and progress, no matter how small. Keep a record of your musical journey, noting improvements over time. As dreaded as it might be, record yourself. Video or Audio recordings are a great way to improve and grow. Not only do you see your progress but you can immediately learn something and try to improve it with every try.
Redirecting your focus to your growth and accomplishments reinforces a positive mindset and minimizes the impact of negativity.