Discovering Your X Factor: The One Shift to Transform Your Playing
"Small changes can make a big difference." — Anonymous
Welcome to this week’s Peak Performance Mondays!
When I was halfway through my Master’s Degree at NEC in Boston, my playing was...fine. But here’s the truth: it was unpredictable. Performing felt like a roll of the dice—sometimes things clicked, and other times, they didn’t. Not only was it stressful, it wasn’t sustainable. I knew if I kept going that way, I wouldn’t land an orchestra job, and I’d burn out trying.
That’s when I had to stop and ask myself, “What has got to change to make this right? What is ONE thing I can focus on that would have the biggest impact right now?”
In other words, what was my X Factor? What was the one thing I could change in my playing that would push me over the edge and finally make me feel in control of my performances?
Let me give you an example of what an X Factor could look like. Here are two examples from my own personal experience:
Finding a practice buddy
Taking self-recording seriously
These may sound simple, but they completely shifted how I approached my trumpet playing.
🧠 Two “X Factor” Examples:
Finding a Practice Buddy:
There are four basic rules to make this partnership effective:
Shared Goal: You don’t need to be aiming for the exact same outcome, but you should both be on a similar path, like securing a long-term position in a major orchestra.
One Thing They Do Better: Your buddy should excel at something you’re working on—whether it’s articulation, tone, flexibility, or mindset.
One Thing You Do Better: You should have something to offer them in return. A strong practice buddy relationship goes both ways.
Constructive Feedback: The most important part. You need to give and receive honest, constructive feedback. Without that, the partnership won’t help either of you grow.
Mastering Self-Recording:
Self-recording is one of the most underutilized tools out there, but only if done efficiently. Here’s a simple way to start:
Pick an excerpt and record it before you overthink it.
Listen back immediately, while the sensations are still fresh.
Choose one thing to work on, and spend 15 focused minutes improving that specific aspect.
Recording yourself is like holding up a mirror—you’ll see things you couldn’t perceive while playing. But it’s key to act on those insights right away, before they slip away.
✅ Action Item of the Week:
What’s your X Factor? Think about one or two changes you can make today that will have the most impact on your playing. Write them down, commit to them, and see how they shift your progress.
🔄 A Final Thought:
Discovering your X Factor isn’t about finding an easy fix—it’s about finding the one thing that, if changed, could radically improve your playing. But you’ve got to be willing to face discomfort and dig into what’s not working. Once you find that game-changing element, you’ll move closer to your goals.
📺 Watch the Video:
Want to hear more about finding your X Factor? Watch the video right here!
Keep pushing forward!
Chris @ Honesty Pill Coaching
P.S. Want more insights like this? Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more videos on audition prep, performance strategy, and overcoming mental roadblocks. Let’s take your playing to the next level together!
