The Mind Over Finger Podcast

244 One Sentence to Change Your Year: How to turn resistance into real momentum

If you've ever had one of those days where you know what you should do, but everything in you wants to procrastinate, avoid, or zone out... this episode is for you. I'm sharing one of my favorite mindset tools: a simple sentence structure you can use when motivation is low, when self-doubt is loud, or when you just feel stuck. It's a trick I return to again and again to get myself into action and back into alignment with who I want to become. Inside, you'll hear exactly how it works, why it helps you make progress without needing a massive pep talk, and how to use it right away in your practice, performance prep, or daily habits. This might be the shift that changes everything. Tune in and try it for yourself.   If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.   Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE   Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.   ·  Self‑Efficacy: The Exercise of Control https://www.scribd.com/document/394892404/Albert-Bandura-Self-Efficacy-The-Exercise-of-Control-W-H-Freeman-Co-1997-pdf Scribd ·  Identity‑Based Motivation and Health https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/89940/1/oyserman_fryberg_yoder_2007_identity_based_motivation_and_health._jpsp.pdf Deep Blue Repositories ·  Identity‑Based Motivation and Health Disparities (Journal of Social Issues) https://dornsife.usc.edu/daphna-oyserman/wp-content/uploads/sites/232/2023/11/oyserman_et_al_2014_jsi.pdf USC Dornsife ·  Identity‑Based Motivation and Core Processes https://rcgd.isr.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/oyserman2015ibm.pdf rcgd.isr.umich.edu ·  Identity‑Based Motivation and the Motivational Consequences of Difficulty https://dornsife.usc.edu/daphna-oyserman/wp-content/uploads/sites/232/2024/12/Social-Personality-Psych-2024-Oyserman-Identity-Based-Motivation-and-the-Motivational-Consequences-of-Difficulty.pdf USC Dornsife

243 You're Closer Than You Think: The Mindset Shift That Will Move the Needle

In this solo episode, Dr. Gauthier breaks down a powerful mindset shift that can transform your musical growth and career. If you're tired of working harder and still feeling stuck, this is the episode for you. 🎯 In this episode, you'll learn: ·         Why the "do, have, be" model keeps musicians burned out and unfulfilled ·         What the "be, do, have" approach looks like in real practice ·         How your identity is the hidden lever that drives lasting results ·         Why showing up as your future self leads to more confidence and consistency ·         What to do when you're tempted to fall back into old patterns ·         The research behind identity-based motivation and how to use it ·         A simple prompt to shift your mindset today and take meaningful action ·         Why your next breakthrough starts now, not later 🎁 Plus: There's a free worksheet that walks you through this process step by step. DOWNLOAD HERE   If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.   Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE   Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.   ·  Self‑Efficacy: The Exercise of Control https://www.scribd.com/document/394892404/Albert-Bandura-Self-Efficacy-The-Exercise-of-Control-W-H-Freeman-Co-1997-pdf Scribd ·  Identity‑Based Motivation and Health https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/89940/1/oyserman_fryberg_yoder_2007_identity_based_motivation_and_health._jpsp.pdf Deep Blue Repositories ·  Identity‑Based Motivation and Health Disparities (Journal of Social Issues) https://dornsife.usc.edu/daphna-oyserman/wp-content/uploads/sites/232/2023/11/oyserman_et_al_2014_jsi.pdf USC Dornsife ·  Identity‑Based Motivation and Core Processes https://rcgd.isr.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/oyserman2015ibm.pdf rcgd.isr.umich.edu ·  Identity‑Based Motivation and the Motivational Consequences of Difficulty https://dornsife.usc.edu/daphna-oyserman/wp-content/uploads/sites/232/2024/12/Social-Personality-Psych-2024-Oyserman-Identity-Based-Motivation-and-the-Motivational-Consequences-of-Difficulty.pdf USC Dornsife

242 The Long Game Every Musician Needs to Play: Tim Higgins on Winning the Job, Finding Your Sound, and Staying Inspired

In this inspiring backstage pass conversation, Tim Higgins, principal trombone of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and acclaimed composer, arranger, and educator, shares the real work behind long-term success in music. Whether you're preparing for auditions or building artistic depth in your playing, this episode offers mindset shifts and practical tools you can apply today. In this episode, you'll learn: ·         What Tim believes is at the core of audition success and how to train it with consistency ·         How to build and refine your sound concept over time ·         The surprising mindset that keeps him inspired after years in the job ·         Why technique is only part of the equation and how to think like an artist ·         How he navigates vulnerability, identity, and self-worth in a high-pressure career ·         The one thing he'd tell any musician working toward a big goal this year ·         Why long-term growth is not just possible, but powerful Whether you're chasing a job, deepening your artistry, or trying to stay motivated in the middle of it all this is a conversation you'll want to revisit.   If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.   Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE   Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

241 Beyond the Practice Room: What Four Top Experts Want You to Know About Performance

In this special episode, recorded live at New World Symphony's Wellness Week, four leading voices in musician wellness come together to share powerful strategies for navigating the mental, physical, and emotional demands of a music career. You'll learn: ·         How to recover from a tough performance without spiraling into shame or self-doubt ·         The mindset shift that separates your identity from your results ·         Why your body holds the key to emotional regulation and performance ease ·         How to build self-trust by understanding your nervous system ·         Tools to manage your inner critic and perfectionist tendencies ·         Practical ways to bring more awareness and intention into your practice ·         Why real growth requires both mental flexibility and physical freedom ·         How collaborative wellness approaches are changing the future of classical music Featuring insights from: ·         Dr. Noa Kageyama – Performance psychologist, Juilliard faculty, and creator of The Bulletproof Musician - https://bulletproofmusician.com/ ·         Lori Schiff – Master Alexander Technique teacher and long-time Juilliard faculty member - https://www.lorischiff.com/ ·         Dr. Coree Levy – Performance medicine and recovery expert working with elite musicians and athletes - https://www.drcoreelevy.com/ ·         Renée-Paule Gauthier – Violinist, performance coach, and host of the Mind Over Finger Podcast - https://www.mindoverfinger.com/ This conversation is packed with tools and insights you can start using right away to show up with more freedom, confidence, and clarity in your musical life.   If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.   Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE   Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

240 You're Not Unmotivated, You're Believing the Wrong Thing: How to Reclaim Your Focus, Confidence, and Momentum

In this episode, you'll learn: Why your current beliefs—not your ability—might be the real reason behind lack of motivation or progress How to spot the subtle thoughts that quietly shape your practice habits and performance results A powerful mindset shift that helps musicians move from self-doubt to self-trust The truth about where limiting beliefs come from—and how to start letting them go The difference between repeating affirmations and actually practicing belief How to use "bridge thoughts" to shift your mindset when a positive belief still feels out of reach A step-by-step exercise to anchor your new identity as a focused, confident performer Why sometimes you have to "be before you believe"—and how to start doing that today If you've been feeling stuck, distracted, or not quite like yourself in the practice room, this episode will help you uncover what's really going on—and give you the tools to shift it. If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality. Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/ THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.