Before Michael Phelps dove into the pool to win 28 Olympic medals, he had a ritual. A carefully curated playlist of hip-hop, EDM, and country songs helped him get into the zone, blocking distractions and reinforcing a mindset for peak performance.
Phelps isn’t alone. From professional athletes to keynote speakers, top performers across industries rely on pre-performance routines—often anchored in music—to elevate their focus and execution.
Do Financial Advisors Need a Pre-Performance Routine?
While financial advising isn’t a competitive sport, it does require confidence, focus, and presence. Whether you’re preparing for a big client meeting, a conference presentation, a high-stakes prospect call, or even a podcast interview, setting the right mental tone beforehand can make all the difference.
A pre-performance routine, whether it’s a specific song, a moment of quiet reflection, or a physical ritual, can help you:
- Reduce stress and distractions – Just as an athlete tunes out the noise of the crowd, an advisor can use music or a ritual to center themselves before an important engagement.
- Elevate energy levels – The right playlist can get you into a confident and engaging state, ensuring you show up fully present.
- Anchor success – Over time, a consistent pre-performance habit can condition your mind to associate that routine with peak performance.
The Science of Visualization: Seeing Success Before It Happens
Music isn’t the only tool for boosting confidence and sharpening focus before a big moment. Studies show that visualization—mentally rehearsing a scenario in vivid detail—can significantly enhance performance. Athletes, public speakers, and business leaders alike use this technique to reduce anxiety and increase their sense of control.
For financial advisors, visualization can mean mentally walking through a client meeting—envisioning the setting, the discussion flow, and a positive outcome. Research has found that when individuals visualize a successful outcome, they are more likely to approach the situation with confidence and clarity rather than hesitation or fear.
Just a few minutes spent picturing a smooth and productive conversation, anticipating key talking points, and seeing yourself delivering insights with ease can help condition your mind for success when the actual moment arrives.
Remind Yourself of Your Wins: The Power of Positive Feedback
Another powerful confidence booster? Revisiting past successes. Reading through positive client testimonials or recalling successful meetings can reinforce your self-belief and prime you for success. Studies suggest that positive reinforcement improves learning performance and enhances perceived self-efficacy—your belief in your ability to succeed.
Before heading into an important meeting or event, consider reviewing a few positive comments from clients who have benefited from your guidance. This simple act can serve as a potent reminder that you are knowledgeable, capable, and trusted—a mindset that can dramatically impact your presence and effectiveness in client interactions.
Preparation Builds Confidence—And We’re Here to Help
While music, visualization, and positive reinforcement can all help you step into important meetings with confidence, another key element is preparation. Many of the advisors we work with find it empowering to have the right data in hand before client meetings—or, in some cases, to have us on important calls to support them directly.
That’s where our OCIO services come in. We help planning-focused advisors by providing institutional-quality research, portfolio insights, and data-driven recommendations so you can walk into every client conversation prepared and confident. Whether it’s customized reports, talking points, or our presence on key calls, we’re here to support you in delivering the best outcomes for your clients.
What’s in Your Pre-Performance Toolkit?
Your pre-performance routine doesn’t have to be complex. It just needs to be intentional. Whether it’s a playlist that energizes you, a few minutes of visualization, reviewing positive feedback, or ensuring you have the best data and insights at your fingertips, setting the right mental and emotional tone before a high-stakes interaction can be a game-changer.
We’d love to hear—what’s your go-to song, ritual, or mindset shift before stepping into an important meeting or event? Drop a comment and let us know!
Or schedule a call to discuss the benefits an OCIO can provide for you.