| As a professional concert pianist I have over time | | | | mental state. My mental state means my logical mind. |
| developed a secret psychology that helps me in any | | | | This is the part of my brain that draws upon its past |
| situation. You see, quite frankly I need a psychology | | | | experience to carry out the academic challenges of |
| that helps me because the music business is a tough | | | | the job. In terms of my concert that would mean the |
| business. If you're not sure you agree that it is tough | | | | preparation, practicing, business challenges and |
| then consider this; how many professional concert | | | | anything else that my brain has to figure out. To |
| pianists do you know? Comparatively, how many | | | | survive mentally with so many things going is only |
| doctors, lawyers, accountants, car salesmen, teachers | | | | possible if I focus on one thing at a time. To achieve |
| or nurses do you know? Are you getting the picture? | | | | this I give one single a task 100% of my energy until it's |
| The fact that very very few pianists actually make a | | | | completed. Or, if I'm practicing, I give one piece 100% of |
| professional concert career out of it shows us that it | | | | my energy until I've learned it, then I do it again in 24 |
| may not be that easy to do. Therefore, to keep going | | | | hours then again in 7 days. My retention rate for |
| in an industry that continually turns talented pianists | | | | learning goes up 85% if I follow this formula. |
| from aspiring concert professionals into teachers, one | | | | Emotionally, it's far easier for me to remember that the |
| must develop a personal psychology to not only cope | | | | outcome is part of my journey. Will I get everything |
| with the demands of the profession but, to keep going | | | | right? Probably not. I will learn many things on this |
| when all the odds say that it's not possible. | | | | project, some of which I do not care to learn. But, |
| My personal psychology includes focusing on four main | | | | everything I learn will get tucked away in my toolbox to |
| areas which when developed can propel me forward | | | | use for next time. My emotions will be easier to handle |
| regardless of the competition or the demands of the | | | | if I just remain calm about everything and not let others |
| job itself. These are the mental, emotional, spiritual and | | | | distract me from my true purpose, which is to do the |
| physical parts of my life. However, it is the first three | | | | best that I can do. |
| that I focus on the most. In fact, the mental, emotional | | | | The spiritual parts of myself are most important in any |
| and spiritual parts of myself that I do have control over | | | | situation. My belief system includes many teachings |
| are reflected in my physical world. My physical world is | | | | which I have adopted as my own truth. Examples of |
| just a printout of how I am feeling mentally, emotionally | | | | this are; I believe that everything happens for a reason. |
| and spiritually. | | | | Therefore, no matter what happens up until the |
| So, when I feel like it's impossible to do something or | | | | concert and no matter what happens during the |
| achieve something in my career I turn to the three | | | | concert, everything is perfect. |
| things that I can control. For example; let's say that I | | | | So far in this project many things have happened that I |
| have a new concert opportunity coming up that's | | | | don't like. But, the spiritual parts of me know that it all |
| different than anything I've ever done before. As a | | | | comes out in the wash. I can push the envelope of a |
| matter of fact this is true. In a few months I'll be | | | | higher calling without having to worry about the |
| performing an entire evening's concert of my own | | | | outcome. The fact is if I shoot for the stars I'm at least |
| music with a professional orchestra. That's right, I have | | | | going to hit the moon. And, no matter what anyone |
| to compose, arrange and practice nine movements of | | | | says about me before, during or after this concert it |
| "The Road to Santiago" suite, a selection of songs that | | | | doesn't matter. What really matters is that I'm doing |
| I wrote while walking a pilgrimage in 2004. | | | | what I'm supposed to be doing and I'm going to learn |
| To many people this would seem like a huge | | | | something. Spiritually I believe that learning is the key to |
| undertaking. Well, it is. But, I don't really think of it that | | | | life itself. Otherwise, what would be the point? |
| way. If I did, I'd never get it done. I cannot for one | | | | If you are struggling in your own situation to find some |
| moment allow myself to get drawn into any negative | | | | answers consider adopting similar psychology. The, |
| state of mind. Therefore to cope, I turn to my mental | | | | dive in and learn something. You'll be far better off |
| state, emotional state and spiritual state to get me | | | | than if you don't take the chance in the first place. I've |
| through it. | | | | never written or performed nine symphonies before. |
| How does this work? First of all let's focus on the | | | | But, to me, the only risk is not taking one. |