There are basically two areas of the performance cycle where we can hurt our chances of playing our best on our first version: faulty preparation or fearful performance. >>Click here to take a 2-minute quiz and find out: What's Your Ideal Performance Training Zone?Knowing where our work is can direct our efforts to wayyy more effectively learn how to share our best on our first version. And in this episode, we're going to start breaking down how!  You'll also hear: Why learning how to practice self-trust in the practice room is the key to giving a fearless performance The three stages of how to acquire a motor skill and the lightbulb moment it can spark for your ability to perform through nervesThe spectrum of fear to love that helps us perform consistently well. Dive on in! Resources Mentioned:Free Performance Training QuizJeff's Awesome Trill Reel

Learn to boost your motivation to do those things that we know we want to do, but juuuust can't seem to follow through consistently. >> Click here to check out Elevate by Fearless PerformanceWe've learned to stop wondering whether we or our students are motivated.  We are ALL motivated!  The question is: to do what? Some of us are motivated to avoid being seen as incompetent.  Some are driven by relationships. Some are driven by fear.... the list continue! Let's break down motivation by looking at three particular psychological needs that we all have, and see if we can find some tips for how to start boosting your motivation to follow through on those things you truly care about. In this episode, check out:Why musical prodigies can serve as a great example to help us make changes in our approach, so we can build mastery efficiently Tangible ways to boost your sense of competenceHow you might adjust situations that you don't have a lot of control over to land more in your favorWhat the most significant factor is in motivation and how you can build yours.Mentioned in this episode:Elevate: The comprehensive music performance membership dedicated to helping you prepare and perform your best by Fearless PerformanceBest Year Ever by Michael HyattCanadian Brass

70% of people experience imposter feelings, according to a review article published in the International Journal of Behavioral Science. If you don't experience them - your students are! >>Click here to download your free Imposter Shield resourceImposter syndrome is a really tough experience to navigate in performance, so we've gotta have some tools to help us shift our focus onto what really matters–sharing AWESOME music. In today’s episode, we’ll teach you a Fearless Performance tool that you can engage whenever you need it called the Imposter Shield. Dive on in and learn:How imposter thoughts or feelings can be an advantage to your growthA simple strategy to shift your focus from worrying about yourself to elevating the musicHow to build up your internal sense of success, so you experience less imposter syndrome to begin withThe 4 steps to arming yourself with the Imposter Shield!Our stories about how we experience imposter syndrome and what we do to get through them to share our best anywayResources MentionedThe Courage to Teach by Parker PalmerFearless Performance Ted Talk by Jeff NelsenAdam Grant Returns by Armchair Expert

How can we all be way more committed to working on scales, arpeggios, and long tones?And how do we draw forth the motivation to stick with ANY consistent routine, for that matter? >>Download the free Fundamental 1-2-3 Roadmap here!In today's episode, we're talking about the why, what, and how of getting excited to dive deeply into fundamentals. Tune in and learn: The greatest advantage scales, arpeggios, and long tones provide for our development Simple strategies to help you work on fundamentals productivelyHow to increase you ability to find reward in doing hard workThe Fundamental 1-2-3 Roadmap and how you can use it to inspire and guide your practice Resources MentionedCan't Hurt Me by David Goggins

What do we truly fear in performance? >>Click Here to Get Your Bonus Free Training: 7 Ways to Self-Regulate in PerformanceIs really the missed notes? Lost opportunities?  Potential for embarrassment? Think back to a time when you performed GREAT! ...yet still faced one or two of those results.  Chances are. even if you might have felt deeply disappointed about the outcome, you still felt pretty good about how you showed up. In today's episode, we're talking about what we really fear in performance: not being able to show the audience what you know you can do.  It's congruence, yeah?  Being able to be who you are, no matter who is watching. Dive on in and learn: The funny way Katy's brain (and 30% of musicians) doesn't seem to work The 7 processes our minds use to help use to self-regulate in performance, so we can manage ourselves well and act in alignment with who we want to be. What former Chicago Symphony Principal hornist, Dale Clevenger, would do to help his students develop more self-awareness. Tips and tricks to boost use the way your mind works your advantage and compensate for what could be working a bit better.

Courage and word choice: How to start building yours through tiny changes>> Click Here to Get Your Free Bonus Training: 14 Word Essential Choice Swaps to Boost Your CourageIf you're anything like us, then you know that at times, we can have a wildly vocal inner monologue that tells us things that aren't true.  Things like self-doubt, judgement, criticism... When these thoughts arise, we've gotten pretty good at shifting to a more constructive line of thinking, or at the very least, weathering the storm! But what about the more subtle words that pop up in our day? I have to do this.I have NO idea.Good idea!This made me laugh :)In today's episode, we'll discuss the lesser attended choices we make with our words, how they can negatively impact us, and how to we can swap them out to more powerful choices that can pack a punch! Dive on in and learn: The family activity Jeff grew up with that influenced his obsession with word choiceThe mistake we make when we revere music over languageHow to differentiate between emotional words and scientific words ...and the impact they can have on your practice!An example case study of how teachers can help students become more detailed with their performance observations

As tempting as it is to feel like fear happens to us, it's important to remember we have agency over the emotions we feel in performance. >>Download Your Bonus Training Resource HereThat's right.  We choose fear.  ..wait, what?!We get it.  You'd sooner choose to do your taxes twice over than feel your heart pounding right outta your chest during that high delicate entrance in second movement of Beethoven's Fourth Symphony. But the great thing about believing that we choose fear is that we can choose better than fear. In today's episode, we'll discuss one of the best-known and empirically-verified emotion regulation models from Dr. James Gross, the director of The Psychophysiology Lab at Stanford University.  This model sheds a spotlight of clarity on tiny ways we allow fear to take the stage, and what we might do differently! Dive on in and learn: An official Fearless tool to measure your performance so you can use the data to make your next one better.The choice we have when it comes to fear (and the opportunities to choose better)How to use perfectionism to fuel your motivation rather than derail your self-worthSome ways you can start reaping the benefit of healthy fearA simple 5-step checklist to get you leveraging fear to fuel your performance aims this week

Introducing Performing Beyond Doubt: The Fearless Podcast with Jeff Nelsen and Dr. Katy Carnaggio!Here on Perform Beyond Doubt,  we unpack what breaks down throughout the Prepare and Perform cycle and give you a plan so you can leave your stage satisfied with what you just did. With our 3-Lane approach (Technician, Musician, Performer),  find strategies and tools to help you take action and create a performance your audience can appreciate, and you can be proud of. The first episode drops Friday, February 24th. Before you forget, follow Performing Beyond Doubt so you'll get every training as soon as it's released. Listen to and follow this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. Until then... cheering you on!