"That Little Extra": Insights on Performance Psychology
05/06/2023
Ever been on the brink of success, only to be held back by self-doubt, stress, or the fear of failing? You’re definitely not alone. In a recent webinar with Bert De Cuyper, professor of performance psychology, we dove into the complexities of breaking through mental barriers and tapping into your true potential.
Whether you’re an athlete, musician, or just someone striving to do your best, the insights from this webinar are gold.
Subscribe to The singsing! Sofa Library and watch the webinar Performance Psychology, led by professor Bert De Cuyper. It’s packed with practical strategies and deep advice to help you push past mental blocks and reach your full potential!
Here’s a sneak peek and overview of what we have learned.
The Power of Preparation and Persistence
Professor De Cuyper stressed that success often comes down to careful preparation and sticking with it. Think of it like creating a masterpiece; your first attempt is rarely the final one. De Cuyper’s advice is to see your early drafts as just the beginning. Share them with people you trust, get feedback, and don’t worry if it’s not perfect right away. It’s all about refining and keeping at it — putting in that “little extra”, as De Cuyper calls it, that can turn something good into something great.
Overcoming Stress and Performance Anxiety
A big takeaway from Professor De Cuyper’s webinar is his perspective on stress and performance anxiety. For many, stress before a big moment can be overwhelming, even causing physical issues like a shaky voice or trembling hands. But De Cuyper reminds us that a certain level of stress is normal and can even be a good sign — it shows you care. The trick is to manage that stress so it powers your performance instead of holding you back.
One powerful example from the webinar was about a participant who was so stressed before a performance that they nearly canceled due to losing their voice. But with the right help and strategies, their voice “magically” returned, and they delivered a brilliant performance. De Cuyper pointed out that this is pretty common, and with the right approach, it can be handled. His tip? Focus on being fully present in the moment — something that can be learned through mindfulness techniques.
The Role of Positive Reinforcement and Routine
In the webinar, Professor De Cuyper also talked about how important positive reinforcement and creating effective routines are. Some performers create rituals or habits that help them focus and build confidence. De Cuyper made a clear distinction between helpful routines and superstitions, noting that while rituals can help you stay centered, they shouldn’t control you. The key is to develop habits that empower you, not ones that make you dependent on outside factors.
The Little Extra That Makes a Big Difference
A recurring theme in De Cuyper’s advice is doing that “little extra.” He used a great metaphor: Water heated to 99°C won’t create steam and won’t move the steam train forward, but at 100°C, it will. That one degree can make all the difference. When it comes to your own goals, this could mean preparing just a bit longer, practicing a bit more mindful, or fine-tuning your skills a bit more. That extra effort might be what gets you over the finish line.
Managing Hyper-Awareness During Performance
Another topic Professor De Cuyper covered in the webinar was hyper-awareness during performances — when you become too aware of yourself, your actions, or how others see you. This self-consciousness can mess with your focus and flow.
De Cuyper’s advice? Bring your focus back to a small detail around you in the present moment. Maybe the friendly eyes of your pianist can bring you back? Or direct your focus towards fully immersing yourself in creating an authentic connection with the audience by using storytelling techniques.
Learn More with Professor Bert De Cuyper
These insights are just the beginning. Professor De Cuyper’s webinar is full of practical strategies and deep advice designed to help you break through mental barriers and reach your full potential. If these ideas caught your attention, there’s so much more to discover…
Subscribe to The singsing! Sofa Library, watch the webinar Performance Psychology, led by professor Bert De Cuyper and dive deeper into the techniques that can transform your performance!
Whether you’re preparing for your next big event or simply looking to improve your daily performance, the knowledge shared by Professor De Cuyper will be very valuable.
Kaat Arnaert, Singer, Actress & Drama teacher
As always, feel free to send me your thoughts, questions, and feedback in the comments below this blog, via the contact form or in the singsing! online community 
Cordially,
Sarah