Lesson 3 of 6

Activity 1: Defining Core Values

Here I explore the impact that focusing on specific events has on Esme’s feelings about performing. In order to ‘reset’ the way she feels, I suggest Esme needs to re-define her ‘core values’ in order to ground herself in the reasons she performs.

Duration 2m 12s

ACTIVITY

As performers it is sometimes easy to lose sight of the reasons why we choose to perform.

Core values are the fundamental beliefs that we hold as individuals and identifying these can be useful in determining if we are on the right path and fulfilling our personal goals.

Core values can include things like loyalty, passion, honesty, efficiency, reliability, dependability, optimism, positivity, and commitment.

Examples:

  1. One of Esme’s CORE VALUES could be connection with her audience. Focusing on this before the gig might help her to worry less about what to wear and more on how to engage with the audience.
  2. One of Esme’s CORE VALUES could be dependability. Maybe she prides herself on the fact that she is professional and doesn’t let people down? Reminding herself of her core value may have given her the strength to continue playing, rather than cut short her set.

Useful resources to support you

https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-core-values.

https://www.taproot.com/live-your-core-values-exercise-to-increase-your-success/

Another Example – One of Esme’s CORE VALUES could be dependability.

Maybe she prides herself on the fact that she is professional and doesn’t let people down? Reminding herself of her core value may have given her the strength to continue playing, rather than cut short her set.

Task 1: Spend a few moments thinking about the questions below and note down your responses:

• Why do you perform?

• What do love most about it?

• What is it that performing gives you?

Task 2: Looking at what you have written for Task 1, identify any core values that stand out as being important to YOU.

Once you have done this, give an example of when your core value has helped to ground you as a performer.

Recognising when you have met your core values as a performer can help you to recognise what you have achieved and develop a sense of personal fulfilment