You’re Not Unmotivated, You’re Believing the Wrong Thing: How to Reclaim Your Focus, Confidence, and Momentum

Ever feel like you’re doing everything right - practicing consistently, working hard, showing up - and yet, something still isn’t clicking?

Maybe you're still feeling nervous when you perform. Maybe your practice feels scattered or unproductive. Maybe you’ve convinced yourself that you’re just “not that kind of musician,” not focused enough, not talented enough, not confident enough.

I want to offer something today that might completely change the way you think about progress, growth, and success as a musician:

It’s not always about doing more. Sometimes, it’s about believing differently.

The Beliefs You Don’t Even Know You’re Believing

Most of us are walking around with a whole set of beliefs that are quietly shaping everything we do.

Things like:

• “I’m just not good at memorizing.”

• “I always fall apart under pressure.”

• “I’m not as talented as other musicians.”

• “I’m not disciplined enough.”

Sound familiar?

These don’t always feel like beliefs. They feel like facts. You’ve thought them for so long, or heard them from others so often, that they’ve started to shape your identity.

But here’s the thing: they’re not facts. They’re just thoughts. And thoughts can be changed.

You Don’t Have to Wait for Evidence

This is one of the most powerful mindset shifts I’ve ever learned—both personally and in my work with clients:

You don’t need evidence to start believing something new. You need belief to start creating new evidence.

Let me say that again: Belief comes before the result.

So instead of waiting to become confident before acting like a confident musician... What if you started showing up as that version of you right now?

Because that’s how it works. You decide to believe something new. Then you start taking action from that belief. And that’s what creates the results you're looking for.

Try This Belief-Building Exercise

Here’s one of my favorite ways to start rewiring your beliefs. And yes, you can try this today.

1. Write down your new identity.

Something you want to grow into. For example: “I am a confident, focused performer.”

2. List 3 things that version of you would do.

Simple habits that would reflect that belief. (For example: Warm up with clarity and intention. Schedule focused practice blocks. Speak kindly to myself after mistakes.)

3. Pick ONE.

Choose just one habit, and do it this week, not to prove anything, but to start embodying that belief.

4. At the end of the week, reflect:

How did it feel to act from that identity? What evidence did you create that this belief might actually be true?

Bonus step (if you're short on time):

Once a day, simply ask yourself: “What would the future version of me do right now?” Then do that. One small choice, made with intention, is how belief is built.

Belief Is a Skill. Start Practicing It.

Just like scales or etudes, belief is something you can practice. It’s not magic. It’s not luck. It’s not reserved for some special breed of “natural musicians.”

It’s something you get to choose. And the more you choose it, the stronger it gets.

So, what would change if you believed something different about yourself today?

What would you be brave enough to try?

Let’s Take This Further

This is exactly the kind of work I do with my clients, whether that’s 1:1 coaching or inside

The Music Mastery Experience.

If you're stuck in old stories that are keeping you small, if you’re tired of second-guessing yourself and waiting to feel “ready,” if you're craving more confidence, clarity, and progress—you don’t have to figure it out alone.

🎧 Listen to the full episode to go deeper into this work: Mind Over Finger Podcast, Episode 240

🗓️ Book a free discovery call with me at mindoverfinger.com We’ll talk about where you are, where you want to go, and how to make belief the fuel that gets you there.

You're not stuck. You're just one new thought away from something incredible.