Page 101 - How to Shine on Stage

tional thoughts pull the performer into a vicious circle of thoughts from
which it becomes difficult to escape. Additionally, it produces a mental
overload which shifts the focus from the performance to the musician’s
internal experiences.

2.2.4.1 Mindset
Mindset is the psychological foundation for experiencing success or fail-
ure in various areas of life, including musical performance. Our mindset 99
about performance is an important determinant of how we experience
the success of our own musical performance.
Carol Dweck (2012), the author of the concept of mental convic-
tions, speaks of growth mindset and fixed mindset. Some people believe
that their abilities are mostly unchangeable and beyond their con-
trol. Accordingly, they try less, believing that they cannot significantly
change their abilities. They are consequently less successful. Such people
avoid challenges (Blackwell et al., 2007). This type of mindset is consid-
ered fixed. People with a growth mindset, however, believe that they can
change and develop their abilities with effort and perseverance (Dweck,
2012). Such individuals like to face challenges and assume more de- Direct Factors of Musical Performance Success
manding tasks. When they experience failure, it does not consume them
(Dweck, 2007).
Mindset is also linked to self-image. The self-image of those with a
fixed mindset is built by proving their own abilities. When they encoun-
ter an obstacle or experience a failure, their self-image is lowered (Muel-
ler & Dweck, 1998). Individuals with a growth mindset build self-image
through challenges. When they experience a failure it doesn’t discourage
them or lower their self-image, but further motivates them to improve
their own skills. (Robins & Pals, 2002)
There are various interesting differences between people with fixed
mindsets and people with growth mindsets as to their perception of their
own success. People with a fixed mindset see success only in their own
superiority, that is, they only feel successful if they are better than oth-
ers (Dweck, 2007). In contrast, people with a growth mindset feel suc-
cessful when their results are a reflection of their best efforts at the given
moment, and of their learning and progress. Therefore, their sense of
success is not tied to the results of others or to external circumstances,
but only to what they can control.
Even more important differences arise in the experience of failure:
people with a fixed mindset struggle more with experiencing failure. It
often blocks them and leaves a dent in their self-image. After failing, they