At some point in life, every one of us wants to work on our self-confidence. Without it, it’s too easy to fall into the trap of negativity and self-doubt. As a musician, you might have to deal with many challenging situations that make even the most experienced performers sweat and falter. No matter where you are on your musical journey, a lack of confidence can hinder your ability to perform, grow, and succeed as an artist.
Remember: you have a choice to improve your self-assurance. Here are 6 tricks that can help you instantly boost your musical confidence and allow you to do things you may not have been able to do before.
1. Dress to impress.
Believe it or not – no one is more conscious of your physical appearance than you are. Image plays an important role in the music industry, so take pride in your personal appearance. This doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot on the latest fashion items. Start with small things like wearing clean clothes, shaving frequently, or putting on your favourite fragrance. A little goes a long way.
When you dress well, it changes the way you carry yourself and interact with other people. It also shows that you look like a professional – or at least you put some thought and effort into looking like a professional while performing on stage or attending an audition. To a degree, looking good is how you show respect toward the audience.
2. Adjust your posture.
How a person carries themselves tells a story. A good posture will automatically make you feel (and look) more confident.
Adopting a powerful posture before entering a tense, anxious situation like a performance will subconsciously adjust how your brain responds. You’ll immediately feel more alert and empowered. So whether you’re walking, sitting, or standing, use your body in a more confident way.
3. Compliment other people.
When we fall into the rabbit hole of negativity, we tend to project those feelings onto others. Try to get into the habit of complimenting other people. There’s always something nice you can comment on to those around you. Make an effort to praise them. Looking for the best in others will indirectly bring out the best in you and enable you to build your self-confidence.
4. Change your self-talk.
We all have imaginary conversations in our heads. The way you mentally talk to yourself can have a huge impact on your confidence as a musician. If you’ve been having negative, critical self-talk, it’s time to change your inner thought patterns and start developing positive, realistic self-talk that accurately reflects your musical talent. Write down your self-defeating thoughts and turn them into more supportive, self-enhancing thoughts.
5. Work out.
This links a bit with personal appearance. You’ve probably heard many benefits of exercising regularly, including improving your energy levels and producing chemicals like endorphins, which make you feel more positive. A workout, even one that only lasts a few minutes, can help you create uplifting momentum that you can build on throughout the rest of the day.
6. Smile.
If all other tips fail, just crack a smile. It will make you appear confident and composed. When you smile at somebody, it’s hard not to get the same response back. Even if you smile for no good reason, we promise you’ll find yourself instantly happier.
Do you have any other tricks to help yourself get over a lack of confidence as a musician?
Share with us in the comments below!
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