As a performance coach, I’ve had the privilege of delving deep into the intricacies of what it takes to excel on a variety of stages. In today’s fast-paced and competitive workplaces, mastering your performance at work (and in life too!) is not just beneficial, it’s essential for staying ahead of the curve. 

One of my key objectives for clients is to help them unlock their full potential by embracing a performance mindset, by combining the musical theatre world with coaching, learning and development. Just like a captivating stage performance, a performance mindset requires more than just the right words, it demands a compelling purpose, preparation and passion to leave a lasting impact. 

Over the years, I’ve distilled this concept into actionable steps that anyone can follow to cultivate a mindset geared towards success. Let’s delve into these steps and explore how they can help set you up for self-growth, job satisfaction and pride in everything you do.

1.Purpose

Creating a true sense of purpose is the foundation of a performance mindset. It involves having a clear direction and stretching our own expectations of ourselves. By understanding our overarching goals and aspirations, we can stay motivated and focused on achieving them. It’s about setting goals that stretch our expectations and drive us to surpass them. Purpose gives us direction and motivates us to push boundaries, ultimately defining the path we embark upon.

2.Preparation

Preparation is key to managing the process of goal achievement effectively. It’s not only about preparing for the present, but also envisioning what the future holds. By proactively planning ahead, we can set ourselves up for success and navigate challenges with ease.

This involves equipping ourselves with the knowledge, tools and strategies needed to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of work (and home) life. By staying informed and proactive, we position ourselves to seize opportunities and overcome any hurdles with confidence.

3.Passion

Passion fuels our self-belief and drives us to excel. It’s about embodying the behaviours of success and role modelling them within ourselves. As the saying goes, ‘Fake it until you make it’. I actually prefer ‘fake it till you become it’. This helps to shape what we do and how we do it, which ultimately then becomes a habit and success then becomes the norm. We have to practise what we want to achieve. By modelling behaviours that reflect our passion, we inspire others and cultivate a culture of innovation and growth within our teams and with ourselves too.

4.Practise, feedback, repeat

Practise makes perfect, but only if coupled with feedback and recognition. Just like in a theatre performance, where rehearsals are essential for refining our craft, seeking feedback allows us to identify areas for improvement and celebrate our successes along the way. It’s about embracing a mindset of continuous improvement and actively seeking feedback to iterate and optimise our performance.

In my career as a theatre performer, the rehearsal process was a key part of every performance. It’s a continuous cycle from learning new choreography, practising it, noticing where you’re stronger or weaker, improving and more rehearsals until you perfect it. Receiving feedback from your choreographer or your director on how you can be better is at the heart of every performance and crucial to making it the best it can be. So, why not do this at work or in everyday life too? 

Continuous improvement is integral to maintaining a performance mindset. It involves embracing new ways of working and being open to change. If something isn’t working, it’s crucial to adapt and innovate to stay on the path towards success.

5.Pride & celebration

Finally, taking pride in our achievements solidifies our performance mindset. It’s about recognising the effort and dedication we’ve put into our endeavours and allowing that sense of pride to drive us forward. Pride not only motivates us but also inspires those around us to strive for excellence.

Taking pride in our work is essential for sustaining motivation. It’s about celebrating successes, no matter how small, and acknowledging the effort and dedication invested in achieving them. 

For every production I’ve been in, we’d always celebrate our success. Whether it’s opening night or closing night of the show or celebrating parts of our journey towards success. Typically, everyone is on such a high on the final night, we all want to celebrate that long journey from rehearsal to closing night. Why not do this for your successes at work too?

By following these steps, you can cultivate a performance mindset that empowers you to achieve your goals and unlock your full potential. Remember, success is not just about performance; it’s about embracing challenges, staying focused, and ultimately, feeling a sense of fulfilment and success in everything you do.

Written By Karl Green

Karl Green is a performance and wellness coach at Wishfish Coaching & Development and Secrets from a Coach. For more information visit: wishfish.org.uk and secretsfromacoach.com.