Welcome to another episode where we dive deep into the habits, stories, and mindsets that keep successful people thriving.In today’s episode we sit down with Laura Baxter, an award‑winning opera singer turned performance coach, speaker, and author living in Germany. Laura shares the pivotal moment that reshaped her whole approach to gratitude: singing at a noble‑family wedding in a medieval chapel and realizing that being “grateful in the moment” is far more powerful than simply feeling grateful.
Welcome to another episode where we dive deep into the habits, stories, and mindsets that keep successful people thriving.
In today’s episode we sit down with Laura Baxter, an award‑winning opera singer turned performance coach, speaker, and author living in Germany. Laura shares the pivotal moment that reshaped her whole approach to gratitude: singing at a noble‑family wedding in a medieval chapel and realizing that being “grateful in the moment” is far more powerful than simply feeling grateful.
From the highs of touring the U.S. with a national opera company to the challenges of restarting her career from scratch in Germany—auditions, a new family, and the sting of stage fright—Laura explains how a simple prayer before each performance kept her grounded. She reveals the tools that keep her centered, from the mantra “I choose love” taught by her mentor Nan Burt, to a compliment journal that transformed the way she receives praise.
Resources:
Laura's website: https://www.voice4leadership.de/us/
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Timestamps:
03:37 – Why gratitude is the top emotion of successful leaders
04:46 – Laura shares a pivotal gratitude moment in her life
05:25 – Career shift: from a busy U.S. opera schedule to restarting in Germany
06:52 – Wedding performance invitation and the noble‑family setting
07:38 – Realization: be grateful in the moment; promise to pray before each singing gig
08:29 – Recent concerts: reviving Copland’s “In the Beginning” and feeling gratitude
09:13 – Details of the challenging a‑cappella piece and its difficulty
09:45 – Finding the right choir (Volcante) despite doubts
10:21 – Reflection on privilege and gratitude for rare performance opportunities
10:39 – Gratitude applies to all professions, not just singers
11:29 – Universal gratitude: from factories to farms, recognizing the gift of work
12:31 – Influence of Emmett Fox’s positive‑thinking “seven‑day diet” on Laura’s mindset
13:51 – Struggles to stay grateful during hard times; importance of pausing
14:47 – Contextual gratitude amid global issues (refugees, daily life)
15:15 – Encouragement to cultivate a habit of gratitude despite imperfections
16:18 – Trigger: noticing complaints → instantly shift to gratitude
16:42 – Habitual practice to overcome moments when gratitude feels hard
17:09 – Question about a time Laura wasn’t truly grateful
17:49 – Answer: being caught in the “rat race” and missing present‑moment gratitude
18:30 – Stress of constant responsibilities and self‑doubt in a performance career
19:01 – Description of the ultra‑difficult Copland piece and its history
19:28 – Stage fright confession and its impact
20:11 – Introduction to mentor Nan Burt (92‑year‑old “rocking chair” wisdom)
20:38 – Nan’s gifts: books, “Love is Letting Go of Fear,” and the “I choose love” mantra
22:34 – Mantra “I choose love” explained and its power
23:03 – Using the mantra during the concert; inner transformation on stage
24:07 – Realization of love’s role in performance confidence
24:25 – Prompt: recall a moment lacking gratitude
24:47 – Advice to younger self: live fully in the present, enjoy each minute
25:42 – “Youth is wasted on the young” – savor the moment now
26:03 – Call to be present, aware, and grateful in every instant
26:42 – Book focus: Dealing with Divas – helping readers stay calm, centered, focused
27:31 – Coaching executives on voice, body language, and inner presence
28:06 – “Divas” as difficult personalities that disrupt our center
28:47 – Four powerful states: forgiveness, love, play, gratitude
29:27 – Personal anecdote: moving from scattered to centered power
30:28 – People Laura is grateful for: Nan Burt, parents, collaborators, listeners
31:19 – Quote: gratitude creates joy, not the reverse
31:55 – Gratitude fuels success; without it success feels hollow
32:44 – Contrast: highly successful yet unhappy people lack gratitude
33:17 – Practical gratitude tools: stop complaining, imagine life without the annoyance
34:05 – Journaling habit: daily reflections and a “compliment journal”
35:08 – How recording every compliment reshaped Laura’s mindset
36:37 – Importance of truly receiving compliments as gifts
37:18 – Rewiring focus from negativity to positive acknowledgment
38:08 – Book launch details: Kindle version free 8‑22 May 2024
38:33 – Offer explanation: free download, then paid physical/Kindle release
39:16 – Redefining “diva”: relative to personal perception, not just dominant traits
40:16 – Book structure: first half = inner strength; second half = understanding others & building bridges
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