Yesterday I commenced with a group of leaders to provide a series of inhouse leadership training for Community Therapy. Big shout out to Scott Lynch and Emily Steel for organising the training and for having such a “dream team”.
Because it was a new group to me and I hadn’t been to the venue before, I was feeling a bit nervous.
As I prepared, I remembered a mantra I’d learned from Benjamin J Harvey at Authentic Education.
“It doesn’t matter. We’re just practising.”
What this means is that sometimes we tie ourselves up in knots thinking that “we have to get it right”.
“This is it. If I make a mistake, it’s the worst thing ever”.
This type of thinking actually inhibits our performance. It puts us in the primal state of fight, flight or freeze.
When we’re in that state, we can’t think straight, let alone perform at our best.
So, this little mindset hack helps to take the pressure off.
As soon as you remind yourself that the next gig is the “real gig” and “this one is a practice for the next gig”, you’ll find you relax and of course, as a result perform better.
You can use this mantra for any situation where you are feeling the pressure.
Because you’re practising, you’re not concerned about getting it right. You’re practising. You’re improving.
By default, your performance or outcome will be achieved at a higher standard.
I’m curious, in what situations can you see yourself making use of the mantra?
Reply and let me know.
Keep in mind, (pardon the pun) that mindset is everything and you need to do whatever you can to ensure you manage your mindset.
Regards Shirley
P.S. Early Bird Discount ends 31st December for the next public Leading Yourself and Leading Others Experience. Held over 4 Tuesdays in February 2025. Click on the link for more information:
https://shirleydalton.com/leading-yourself-leading-others-may2020/
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