The Performance and Mindset Institute

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We explore why goals without plans stall, how specificity fuels momentum, and how flexibility—not perfection—keeps careers and businesses moving. Planning emerges as a creative ally, freeing bandwidth and building confidence through visible progress.

• turning vague goals into specific, measurable steps
• rejecting perfectionism and embracing iteration
• aligning plans with strengths, skills, and timing
• using simple tools like calendars and lists
• designing Plan B without undermining Plan A
• planning as a path to creative flow and focus
• motivation through visible progress and milestones
• keeping plans simple yet cha...

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A choir should feel like a place you exhale, not a place you brace. We look at how leadership choices shape the emotional weather of a rehearsal room—why some ensembles become communities that heal, and others become sources of stress that linger long after the final chord. The conversation digs into the ripple effects of yelling, shaming, and “toughening up” singers: wounded confidence, tighter sound, fading joy, and audiences who feel the tension from the first phrase.

We unpack the moments where things go wrong—meltdowns during rehearsal, panic at intermis...

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The holidays don’t have to feel like one long emergency. We unpack the mental load that builds between Halloween and New Year’s and show how a few strategic shifts can turn dread into calm: chunking the season into clear parts, choosing what’s truly yours to do, and treating rest as a productive, non‑negotiable habit. Along the way, we share honest stories—like the “12 dozen cookies” lesson—that reveal the hidden costs of every yes and the freedom that comes with a thoughtful no.

We dig into collaboration and social capit...

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We explore how preparation shapes emotion, how intrinsic and extrinsic motivation trade places under pressure, and how finding your why can turn hard requirements into meaningful steps. A personal story about losing and reclaiming the love of singing grounds practical tools for students and professionals.

• preparation as the foundation of confidence and follow-through
• distinguishing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation with real examples
• how hobbies change when they become professions
• using meaning and purpose to restore intrinsic drive
• teaching practical skills to shift from curiosity to application
• visualization and small wi...

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What if the best performances happen when you stop thinking? We dive into the art and science of flow—the state where time slips, distractions fade, and your craft seems to run on its own. From the rehearsal room to the stage (or the boardroom), we unpack how to prepare so thoroughly that presence becomes effortless and creativity has room to breathe.

We break down the practical steps: over-preparation that builds true muscle memory, visualization routines you can use anywhere, and mindfulness techniques that anchor you in the exact phrase in fr...

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A quiet moment watching holiday movies sparked a bigger question: why do shimmering things—water, stars, fireworks, sequins—pull us in and often make us feel a little better? We call this draw glystophilia, and we trace how gentle glints can nudge emotion, focus, and confidence without pretending that light fixes everything.

We dig into the optics and the meaning. Natural sparkle—ripples on a lake, starlight against a dark sky—shares surprising traits with man‑made twinkle like string lights and reflective fabrics: micro‑movement, contrast, and a rhythm that invites the...

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Technology is reshaping our cognitive abilities in concerning ways, potentially diminishing our capacity for deep thinking and independent reasoning. Social media and AI present a paradox: they're useful tools but come with significant drawbacks for mental health, attention spans, and performance capabilities.

• Digital tools eliminate cognitive processes that once strengthened our minds
• Evolutionary perspective suggests unused cognitive abilities may diminish over time
• Social media induces depression, anxiety, and harmful comparison behaviors
• Flow requires uninterrupted concentration, opposite of what social media provides
• "Death scroll" affects users physically by promoting...

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Have you ever noticed how your communication style changes depending on which social media platform you're using? There's a hidden transformation happening beneath our digital interactions, and it's fundamentally altering how we connect with each other.

Our research into long-term social media usage has uncovered something profound: platform algorithms aren't just organizing content—they're actively shaping how we communicate. Twitter/X trains us for brevity. Instagram rewards visual storytelling. TikTok conditions us for ultra-short content delivery. The concerning part? We're unconsciously adapting to these artificial constraints, and these adaptations are bleeding in...

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What happens when disaster strikes right before your big performance? Dr. Angelia Williams shares a riveting story of having to find a replacement sound engineer with just 45 minutes to spare before a major show—and how the audience never knew anything went wrong.

This fascinating conversation between Dr. Williams and Dr. Mary Ann Markey explores the critical distinction between excellence and perfection in performance. Excellence, they argue, isn't about flawlessness but rather delivering skilled, mature performances while maintaining resilience when inevitable mistakes occur. The golden rule they emphasize for all performers: wh...

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We explore the complex web of relationships that shape our lives and emotional wellbeing, from traditional human connections to digital interactions and our relationship with ourselves. Understanding how different types of relationships impact us neurobiologically reveals why some connections energize us while others drain our resources.

• Five basic types of relationships: personal, professional, academic, societal/community, and digital/online
• Relationship with oneself (intra-relationship) is unavoidable and fundamentally impacts all other connections
• Digital relationships require careful management to prevent negative feedback from affecting self-perception
• Positive relationships release oxytocin, dopamine, and sero...

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Intrinsic and extrinsic approval both have their place in our lives, but relying too heavily on external validation can be risky for your performance mindset and self-perception. We explore the nuances of approval across different contexts including corporate settings, performing arts, and child development.

• Intrinsic approval gives you more control as it's based on your own perception and perspective
• Extrinsic approval can be withdrawn at any time, making it a less stable foundation
• Corporate settings can benefit from external validation through promotions and recognition
• Performing artists may find external...