Audition Woes? Maybe It's Just Your Attitude.

In the realm of classical music auditions, your mindset—let's call it your attitude—is more than just a buzzword. It's the lens through which you view your career, successes, and setbacks.

Recently, contrasting reactions to audition outcomes caught my eye on social media.

One exuded optimism, self-awareness and resilience, a testament to a growth mindset.

The other, marred by negativity, assumptions and defeat, showcased a fixed mindset.

This divergence in attitudes brings me to a crucial point: your reaction to auditions reveals much about your mindset.

Is it fixed or is it geared towards growth? The distinction is stark and can significantly influence your path forward.

I've observed countless musicians navigate the audition circuit in lessons, masterclasses, and even in my own Audition Accelerator program.

And I've noticed that their attitudes invariably shape their experiences and outcomes. It's a compelling argument for the power of mindset.

Here’s my thesis: your thoughts manifest your reality.

This isn't just feel-good rhetoric. It's a principle grounded in the reality of high-stakes performance (check with any high-performing athlete in any sport for an example). Your mental approach affects not just how you prepare, but also how you perform under pressure.

However, if you want to focus on outcomes (of course you do!), it’s essential to acknowledge the audition process's complexity. If you're on the audition circuit, remember, you're only privy to your part of the story. The decision-making process within audition committees is multifaceted, often more complicated than it appears from the outside.

While it’s true that some auditions can be influenced by politics, favoritism, and even unfairness, it’s crucial not to let these factors dictate your mindset.

Let me repeat that…even if you perceive a situation to be unfair, do not let that perception determine how you think.

Dr. Carol Dweck, in her book Mindset, on page 99, says, "Those with a growth mindset find setbacks motivating. They're informative. They're a wake-up call."

Sure, it feels really good in the moment to join in on the venting session, making excuses, and getting angry about how things didn't pan out.

But honestly, sticking with that mindset long-term won’t really help us move forward. It's tricky, though, figuring out what’s just an excuse and what’s actually real.

This isn't to diminish the real challenges and disappointments that come with auditions. Instead, it's a call to focus on what you can control: your preparation, your performance, and yes, your attitude.

Adopting a growth mindset isn’t about ignoring reality. It's about choosing to see challenges as opportunities for development, setbacks as lessons, and auditions as steps on a longer journey, not final verdicts.

Consider This

What is a belief? A belief is a thought you keep thinking over and over.

What do beliefs inform? Your actions.

What do actions create? Your reality.

Therefore, I posit that your thoughts create your reality.

Marinate on that for a second. Maybe read it outloud. How does it feel?

I bet it feels better to focus on what you can control with optimism and awareness than to double down on negative emotion and excuses.

The path of auditions, with its highs and lows, offers a unique vantage point to learn, evolve, and ultimately, to understand that resilience, perspective, and a steadfast belief in the possibility of growth are just as important as talent and preparation.

Or maybe you'll choose to ruminate or boycott auditions that don't go your way. That's totally your choice. (How's that working out for you, by the way?)

Happy practicing,

Chris @ Honesty Pill