Applying peak performance principles to art endeavors brings us the following…

1) Clarity.  Have a clear view of the position(s) that you’re looking for.  High performers tend to know what they want to accomplish in their career as well as in every area of their life. Clarity is power as the focus it gives enables you to save your most valuable resource, which is time.

2) Visualization.  Visualize yourself in the role. Top performers use visualization techniques and imagine themselves being where they want to be.  They imagine themselves achieving things they are yet to achieve.  The brain reacts in a very similar way to events that actually happen and those that are vividly imagined. Get used to the feeling of being where you want to be to get there faster.

3) Belief.  Have an unstoppable belief in yourself and your ability to get to where you want to be. High achievers believe they can in advance of the event. Believing that you can often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Two people can go to the same college, university or training program yet one makes things happen while the other watches things happen.  The answer I believe is within the individual’s belief system, and more specifically a rock-solid conviction that he or she can do it.  As Henry Ford once said: “If you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.”

4) Responsibility.  Take full responsibility for your art results. When you take accountability for everything that happens in your art career, you empower yourself to be able to change the results you’re getting.

5) Relationships.  Top performers build relationships. There is just too much to learn and things are changing too rapidly for someone to make it alone. Build relationships with everyone you meet!

(adapted from jeff appleby’s executive trumpet article on peak performance for job seekers dated 11/17/09).