Psyched to Perform: What & Why?

Everything you need to know about the Psyched to Perform platform

Hello, welcome and thank you for reading the first Psyched to Perform blog. This first blog is just a short introduction into what the Psyched to Perform platform is and why I’ve set it up.

Who am I?

Until a year ago, I was developing a music career; studying, performing and teaching the cello. But now I have swapped practice for reading, gigs for essays and an MMus for an MSc in Performance science. I’ve always been interested in performance psychology and how our mindset might impact how much enjoyment we can get out of our work, what can help us perform to the best of our ability in front of an audience but also how well we are able to work in general. So many different things might have an impact on out performance and our enjoyment being a musician. My ambition is to find ways to educate musicians and institutions in the importance of developing happy and healthy mindsets as well as bringing awareness to the prevalence of performance psychology.

How does Psyched to Perform fit?

Research articles take a long time to read properly, and even longer to understand. But I have found them hugely educational and there is so much useful information which would benefit all musicians and music educators. My ambition with Psyched to Perform is to share these theories in an accessible and personal way by creating a platform which will collaborate with musicians and performers to help you to understand how these topics relate to you and your musical career.

There are 3 main elements in which Psyched to Perform will do this:

1. Blog

The blog is the main hub of Psyched to Perform. On the 22nd of each month, a new blog will be posted focusing on a specific performance psychology or wellbeing topic, from imposter syndrome or motivation to guilt-free rest, to help you feel psyched to perform.

Blogs will predominantly follow the same format each month. Firstly, theories found in research will be introduced and briefly explained. Then the second half will be a collaboration with musicians and performers by hearing about personal experiences about the subject which will be discussed in relation to research. Musicians can share their experiences through social media, informal questionnaires or interviews.

2. Psyched to Perform Instagram page

The Psyched to Perform instagram page will be the main way musicians can share their thoughts and experiences. Each month, question boxes will be shared on stories to hear from followers. Don’t worry, they’ll stay completely anonymous! Whatever comes up from the stories will be written about in the blog. For those who don’t want to read a whole blog though, keep an eye on @Psychedtoperform_ where little snippets of information will be shared.

3. Sources and Resources

To help musicians and performers get hold of useful information, the Psyched to Perform website will have a sources and resources section. This is where you can find extra reading on the the topics of the blogs as well as websites, instagram accounts and podcasts. Any that you might know of that you don’t see on the list, get in contact to share!

4. Subscribe

If you want to find out more, or be the first to find out topics, or have first dibs in speaking about a topic close to you heart, you can subscribe to the mailing list!

5. Podcast

I said Psyched to Perform has 4 elements because the podcast isn’t happening right now! Depending on how things go it will hopefully run along side the blogs. If you want to see it happen follow along!

“Psyched to Perform will be an online platform designed to share useful information on maintaining a happy and healthy mindset for musical performance by sharing performance psychology research from sports, dance, business and music, and making it accessible for those in the music industry.”

What happens now?

The www.Psychedtoperform.co.uk website will be regularly updated with new information, so the lists of sources and resources will be growing, so keep checking back to have a look!

The first proper blog will be published on Wednesday 22nd November. To be the first to find out what the topic will be Subscribe to the mailing list now!

Follow @psychedtoperform_ on instagram to get more information and keep an eye out for the first question boxes on stories.

Email info@psychedtoperform.com if you have any questions or recommendations.

Lastly, thank you so much for reading this first introductory blog. I am excited to get started sharing information with you and sharing your experiences for you!