Your Voice Believes What You Tell It (How Your Thoughts Shape Your Singing) - Ep. 15

Have you ever caught yourself saying something about your voice that actually ends up limiting you? Like I can't sing high notes. I'm not good at belting. My mix has always been weak. This part is always hard for me. What if those thoughts aren't just describing your singing, what if they're actually influencing it? If you've ever felt stuck in the same vocal technique problem, doubted your ability to reach the next level in your goals for your sound, or found yourself thinking: This is just the way my voice is...then this episode is for you. In this episode of The Aligned Singer, you and I are exploring one of the most overlooked aspects of vocal development: the connection between your mindset and your vocal technique.  And here's the thing, I am not a froo froo voice teacher.  I'm a serious technical teacher, but I had to admit after seeing students walk into my studio and say something like, "Oh, I can't sing that high" and literally 10 minutes later we've unlocked it, that those stories you might be telling yourself (and not even realizing it!) are just plain wrong, are rooted in limited thinking, and have gottta go if you want to accelorate your progress and reach your dreams & goals.   In this episode, I share why the stories you tell yourself about your voice can shape the way you approach difficult notes, challenging repertoire, and even your overall growth as a singer. This conversation brings together two of the core ideas behind The Aligned Singer that I'm crazy passionate about: the inner work and the outer work. The outer work is the technical training, practice, and skill development that every singer needs. The inner work is everything happening behind the scenes in your mind: your beliefs, self-talk, expectations (especially about what'll be hard for you), and the stories you've built from your past experiences. In this episode, I show you how the inner work & outer work link up especially in what we're talking about today. Drawing from my own experience rebuilding my voice after years of technical struggles, along with countless lessons helping singers overcome limiting beliefs in real time, I explain how fixed mindsets can keep us stuck, even when we're practicing consistently. I also share practical ways to recognize these thought patterns, replace them with more empowering ones, and create the mental space for real vocal breakthroughs to happen. Your thoughts won't replace great vocal technique, but they can either support your progress or stand in its way. Learning the difference can completely change the way you practice, grow, and experience your voice. In this episode you'll learn: • Why your thoughts about your voice directly influence the way you sing • The difference between the inner work and the outer work of becoming a great singer • How limiting beliefs create physical tension in your voice • Why saying "I can't" keeps your singing progress stuck • The difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset in singing • How past vocal struggles can become stories that continue affecting your technique • Why removing judgment during practice can accelerate your progress • A simple mindset shift you can use the next time you practice Chapters 02:34 The Inner Work vs. the Outer Work, Explained 08:08 How Your Thoughts Shape Your Singing 13:55 "I Can't Sing That High" (a true story from my studio!) 22:12 Limiting Stories We Tell Ourselves About Our Singing 31:09 Your Voice Is Your Body 39:53 How Negative Experiences Become Technique Patterns 49:20 Practical Ways to Change Your Mindset While Practicing Link & Resources Voice Lessons: https://www.sarahhawkeystudio.com Performing Website: https://www.sarahhawkey.com Instagram:   / sarah.hawkey   TikTok:   / voiceteachersarah   Subscribe for more episodes of The Aligned Singer on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts!