Self Talk

SELF TALK

The world of performance coaching

By that I mean

Coaches who help artists, athletes, CEO’s, etc, perform better 

Is filled with plenty of bells and whistles

And who doesn’t love a good bell or whistle!?

The latest gadget that measures heart rate variability 

Wearable rings that track sleep and determine how much someone can push themselves in training when they wake

Monitors to indicate when someone is too stressed needs to take a breath

Science is certainly making things interesting in the world of performance

Like a rainbow coloured milkshake

But as much fun as it all can be 

There’s something I love more

A clear glass of water

Mmm

Simple

Fundamental 

Incredibly valuable

What I’m more curious about than the latest technique or gadget

Is the work that helps the work most

I repeat 

The work… that helps the work… most

When I look at the people who I believe are the best in the game at helping performers

The coaches who actually walk the walk

Nope

Not many bells

Not many whistles

No rainbow coloured milkshakes to be seen

Their work tends to be simpler (not necessarily easier) 

Pen

Paper

Deep thought

The work

You know what I mean

The work

If you told me 

Yo Mike, you can only help one last performer before your times up on this Earth 

I’d sigh

And say…

Go into nature

With your pad and your pen

Sit down

Think of an event or experience you have coming up where you’re required to perform under pressure

It could be an audition

A meeting

A game

A first day on set for that new show 

Maybe an opening night on stage at the Sydney Opera House

Now

Put your timer on for 7 minutes

And begin writing

How would you like to speak to yourself when you wake up on the morning of that event?

Write it 

Seems pretty basic right?

Bit too simple?

Possibly like a glass of water?

Yep

The fundamentals

There is not a single person on this earth who is responsible for the way that you speak to yourself

Other than you

That responsibility lies on your shoulders

And guess what 

You do have a choice in the matter

(As bloody hard as that can feel sometimes)

The best coaches in the game know

How you speak to yourself

Moment to moment

Is going to have one of the biggest influences on your life and work

So my advice

Try it

Just once

Just for 7 minutes

Write as if you were solely responsible for how you guide yourself before stepping into a big performance

Imagine the dream case scenario

Imagine if you just said 

Screw it! I’m going to take care of myself better than ever before

How would you communicate?

Would it be kind? 

Compassionate? 

Fun? 

Playful? 

Focused? 

Clear? 

Honest? 

Supportive? 

Loving?

Guiding?

Nurturing? 

Inspiring?

What if you were guiding your 5 year old self?

What if your 5 year old self was guiding you?

Write your inner monologue 

Your Self Talk

The dialogue you have with yourself 

This is one of those exercises that might feel icky for a few seconds or sentences

Just dive in

I’m interested in what you experience

And if what comes out of you is something you’d like to maybe experience more of?

Curious

Self Talk

Practice how you speak to yourself under pressure

Might just be the most delicious glass of water you’ll ever drink

Hope this helps

X 

Sheasby 

—————————

CURIOUS

If you have any questions, are curious about working together, or are looking for more resources:

My Podcast: The Actor’s Blueprint Podcast - Found on both Apple and Spotify

My Screen Classes: hello@actingmastery.com.au 

My Articles: www.michaelsheasby.com/articles 

My Coaching: www.michaelsheasby.com/coaching

My Email: info@michaelsheasby.com 

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