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How Brain-Based Techniques Can Reduce Performance Anxiety, Procrastination and Imposter Syndrome In today’s high-pressure world, many people—especially students and professionals—grapple with performance anxiety, procrastination, and imposter syndrome. While not usually debilitating, these conditions can nevertheless reduce productivity, create stress, erode…

Posted by Mr. Randy Cohen, Feb 03, 2021 Americans for the Arts partners with the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) to educate Lt. Governors, state leaders, and their staffs about the importance of the arts and culture in America. We were recently…

Perfectionism has historically assumed an insidious presence in the performing arts field. Treated with benign tolerance by those who work with performers, the time has come to acknowledge the pervasive, negative effects based on current research. While some may see…

What is happening in the minds and bodies of musicians when they play their best? Are peak performance and flow simply subjective perceptions of performance excellence?  Or are they distinct mental states, sets of optimal behaviors, a heightened sense of self-confidence…

We all know the value of exercise: physical fitness--check; weight loss--check; improved sleep--check; enhanced mood--check. But new research is showing that when exercise is combined with mental imagery it can function as a mental tool of sorts, a switch that…

By Terry Clark In recent years, a number of novel initiatives have emerged that stand to impact upon the way performing artists are trained and carry out their professional activities. It is now not uncommon for sports medicine physicians to…

Many triathletes find the swimming event not just challenging and but also the most unsettling of the three events. Why is that? Let me give you a hint: the answer may lie beneath the surface! There are three categories of…

KQED's Forum radio show had an interesting show on the psychology of "choking", otherwise known as performance anxiety. Focusing on the trials and tribulations of Jordan Williamson, a freshman field goal kicker for Stanford who missed three crucial field goals…

Test anxiety is defined as excessive worry about doing well on a test, either before the test or while taking a test. Test anxiety is the same as performance anxiety that triggers a range of physiological symptoms in response to…

J. Patrick Gannon, PhD Peak Performance Systems, San Francisco Abstract This pilot study investigated the effectiveness of a new model of peak performance training based on applications of brain research to stimulate mental skill acquisition leading to enhanced performance capabilities…

Dr. Patrick Gannon will be presenting new research on brain-based peak performance training and a workshop on peak performance training at a conference on Saturday April 23rd, 2011 at 3:00 PM located at Santa Clara University. The Division of Bioengineering…

I recommend the book, Choke, by cognitive psychologist Sian Beilock. She offers a guided tour through the latest research that explains why we perform poorly when we are trying our best. For anyone who has blown a test, flubbed a…

There has long been awareness that performers in all disciplines are capable of entering a particular mental state that yields optimal performance. Typically referred to as “flow” or “being in the zone”, performance psychologists prefer the term “flow”, named and…

Presentation by Dr. Patrick Gannon of a three hour workshop for singers, students of singing and teachers of singing, sponsored by the San Francisco Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). Sunday, November 14, 2010 from 2…