Do not self analyze!

Perhaps I am about to state the obvious here, but then again, it happens so often that I just might not be. As musicians or performers in the practice room we are constantly left up to our own devices deciding and debating whether what we just worked on was adequate or if it needed a few more repetitions. Eventually we all remember we love performing, we let go of our analytical self, and we sing or perform sinking deep into the song, remembering why we loved doing this in the first place, and give a stellar performance...in a practice room.

How many of you can attest to that? Or how many of you forget to let go and go to that place? Careful. That is how you burn out.

Now, because we are an instant-feedback culture, too many of us bring our analytical selves into our lessons, our coaching session, or even worse...auditions. Stop. Do not go there. Here's why:
First- if it is a lesson or a coaching session you need to remember why you are there. You have entrusted your craft to another gifted individual who will take what you do and shape and mold it into something even better. If you are in your head, analyzing everything that comes out of your mouth, all that person is hearing is your now crippled self analytical performance. That over analyzed performance is what you have given them to shape. Really? Not your best. So stop and let them do the work. They are NOT judging you. They are guiding you. And do not DO NOT do that in an audition. Go in, be in the moment, sing your heart out, be your character, and whatever happens happens. The directors do not need the self analytical garbage either. Two things will happen when you leave the room: You will remember none of it, which can be a great sign or your body will have an emotional reaction when you get out of the room all on its own. If it was a bad audition you will know it; if it was a good audition...you will know it. So let it just be a performance and not about your analytical self.

Get out of your own way and perform!