The Mind Over Finger Podcast

When practicing feels impossible, it's not because you're lazy or undisciplined. In this episode, I walk you through the simple mindset shifts and practical strategies that help you stop pushing and start showing up with more ease, clarity, and self-respect.
You'll learn:
·         Why waiting for motivation doesn't work
·         A five-step mental reset to ease into practice
·         How to reduce friction and make your routine feel lighter
·         A quick trick to spark momentum on low-energy days
·         How to leave a session feeling proud—even when it wasn't perfect
If you've been feeling stuck or resistant, this episode will help you reconnect with your purpose and make practicing feel more doable again.
If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there.
Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.
 
Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE
Book your free consultation with Renée HERE
Download the transcript from this episode HERE
 
Mind Over Finger
Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.
Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.
Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.
Connect:
https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger
https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger
https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/
 
 
THANK YOU:
Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

What does it really take to grow as an artist without burning out?
In this powerful conversation, I'm joined by bestselling author and performance expert Brad Stulberg to explore what excellence actually means, and how we can pursue it in a way that feels deeply fulfilling, not exhausting.
Brad's new book, The Way of Excellence, offers a grounded and practical roadmap for anyone looking to sustain high-level work over time. Whether you're navigating auditions, refining your craft, or questioning how to stay connected to music in a chaotic world, this episode is for you.
You'll learn how to:
·         Redefine excellence as a process of becoming, not a fixed destination
·         Align your ambition with your core values for a stronger sense of purpose
·         Balance self-discipline with self-kindness, especially when motivation is low
·         Use the "brave new world" mindset to face fear and uncertainty
·         Build emotional resilience so you can keep showing up when it counts
·         Stay consistent without getting stuck in hustle or burnout
·         Create progress that's sustainable, satisfying, and deeply your own
This episode is a must-listen for musicians who want to stay inspired, grounded, and intentional in the way they grow. Brad brings wisdom from elite performers across fields — and his insights will help you rethink what excellence can look like in your own musical life.
Tune in and take away practical tools to support your artistry, your mindset, and your well-being.
Grab The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World HERE!
 
If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there.
Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.
 
Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE
Book your free consultation with Renée HERE
Download the transcript from this episode HERE
 
Brad Stulberg
Grab The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World HERE: https://amzn.to/4jWCsd1
Website: https://www.bradstulberg.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradstulberg/
X: https://x.com/bstulberg
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-stulberg-009b168b/
 
Mind Over Finger
Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.
Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.
Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.
Connect:
https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger
https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger
https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/
 
 
THANK YOU:
Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

Are you juggling big technique goals and an upcoming performance? Struggling to fix your vibrato while also cramming notes for an audition? You're not alone, and you're not doing it wrong.
In this episode, we unpack why chasing long-term mastery and short-term perfection at the same time can leave you overwhelmed, stuck, and second-guessing everything.
You'll learn:
·         How to separate growth work from prep work without sacrificing either
·         Why perfectionism in your "big goal" might be sabotaging your current deadline
·         A smarter way to structure your practice when everything feels important
·         One essential mindset shift to help you stay grounded and actually make progress
This is for you if you've ever felt like no matter how hard you work, you're not getting better fast enough, or worse, like you're falling behind.
Let's fix that.
 
If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there.
Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.
 
Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE
Book your free consultation with Renée HERE
Download the transcript from this episode HERE
 
Mind Over Finger
Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.
Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.
Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.
Connect:
https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger
https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger
https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/
 
 
THANK YOU:
Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

If you've ever had one of those days where you know what you should do, but everything in you wants to procrastinate, avoid, or zone out... this episode is for you.
I'm sharing one of my favorite mindset tools: a simple sentence structure you can use when motivation is low, when self-doubt is loud, or when you just feel stuck. It's a trick I return to again and again to get myself into action and back into alignment with who I want to become.
Inside, you'll hear exactly how it works, why it helps you make progress without needing a massive pep talk, and how to use it right away in your practice, performance prep, or daily habits.
This might be the shift that changes everything. Tune in and try it for yourself.
 
If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there.
Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.
 
Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE
Book your free consultation with Renée HERE
Download the transcript from this episode HERE
 
Mind Over Finger
Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.
Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.
Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.
Connect:
https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger
https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger
https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/
 
 
THANK YOU:
Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.
 
·  Self‑Efficacy: The Exercise of Control
https://www.scribd.com/document/394892404/Albert-Bandura-Self-Efficacy-The-Exercise-of-Control-W-H-Freeman-Co-1997-pdf Scribd
·  Identity‑Based Motivation and Health
https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/89940/1/oyserman_fryberg_yoder_2007_identity_based_motivation_and_health._jpsp.pdf Deep Blue Repositories
·  Identity‑Based Motivation and Health Disparities (Journal of Social Issues)
https://dornsife.usc.edu/daphna-oyserman/wp-content/uploads/sites/232/2023/11/oyserman_et_al_2014_jsi.pdf USC Dornsife
·  Identity‑Based Motivation and Core Processes
https://rcgd.isr.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/oyserman2015ibm.pdf rcgd.isr.umich.edu
·  Identity‑Based Motivation and the Motivational Consequences of Difficulty
https://dornsife.usc.edu/daphna-oyserman/wp-content/uploads/sites/232/2024/12/Social-Personality-Psych-2024-Oyserman-Identity-Based-Motivation-and-the-Motivational-Consequences-of-Difficulty.pdf USC Dornsife

In this solo episode, Dr. Gauthier breaks down a powerful mindset shift that can transform your musical growth and career.
If you're tired of working harder and still feeling stuck, this is the episode for you.
🎯 In this episode, you'll learn:
·         Why the "do, have, be" model keeps musicians burned out and unfulfilled
·         What the "be, do, have" approach looks like in real practice
·         How your identity is the hidden lever that drives lasting results
·         Why showing up as your future self leads to more confidence and consistency
·         What to do when you're tempted to fall back into old patterns
·         The research behind identity-based motivation and how to use it
·         A simple prompt to shift your mindset today and take meaningful action
·         Why your next breakthrough starts now, not later
🎁 Plus: There's a free worksheet that walks you through this process step by step. DOWNLOAD HERE
 
If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there.
Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.
 
Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE
Book your free consultation with Renée HERE
Download the transcript from this episode HERE
 
Mind Over Finger
Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.
Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance.
Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources.
Connect:
https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger
https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger
https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/
 
 
THANK YOU:
Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.
 
·  Self‑Efficacy: The Exercise of Control https://www.scribd.com/document/394892404/Albert-Bandura-Self-Efficacy-The-Exercise-of-Control-W-H-Freeman-Co-1997-pdf Scribd
·  Identity‑Based Motivation and Health https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/89940/1/oyserman_fryberg_yoder_2007_identity_based_motivation_and_health._jpsp.pdf Deep Blue Repositories
·  Identity‑Based Motivation and Health Disparities (Journal of Social Issues) https://dornsife.usc.edu/daphna-oyserman/wp-content/uploads/sites/232/2023/11/oyserman_et_al_2014_jsi.pdf USC Dornsife
·  Identity‑Based Motivation and Core Processes https://rcgd.isr.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/oyserman2015ibm.pdf rcgd.isr.umich.edu
·  Identity‑Based Motivation and the Motivational Consequences of Difficulty https://dornsife.usc.edu/daphna-oyserman/wp-content/uploads/sites/232/2024/12/Social-Personality-Psych-2024-Oyserman-Identity-Based-Motivation-and-the-Motivational-Consequences-of-Difficulty.pdf USC Dornsife