I’m often asked what’s the difference between performance for solo practitioners and the pretence that I’m so opposed to?
Performance for solo practitioners is not playing a role
When you hear talk of “a performance” it’s tempting to think about an actor on the stage – someone pretending to be someone they’re not. For some highly-skilled actors, you can almost believe in the persona they’re portraying, but deep down you know you’re watching 5ft 7in Tom Cruise and not 6ft 5in Jack Reacher! And that creates a bit of a disconnect.
But for those of us working individually with clients, that’s not what performance is about. It’s about deploying the right tools and the right attitude for the specific situation.
The best version of you
For personal and business development solo practitioners, performance is about showing up as the best version of you – for that individual client. You need to meet them where they are, not assume they are ready for the full-on, 100% version of you.
For example, when I’m working with some of my clients’ teams, it’s often their first exposure to personal development. So if I go straight into the deeper spiritual and existential part of what I do, that won’t be serving them. It would be like trying to teach quantum physics in a year 7 science class – a great way for the teacher to show off, but of very little use to the students!
On the other hand, when I’m working with my private clients who have been following my work for a while, it’s exactly that slightly weird existential element that they are looking for. Horses for courses.
A version, not a distortion!
The important thing here is that you don’t hide bits of who you are. You just choose to emphasise the parts that are best going to serve that particular client.
I don’t hide my spiritual side from my early-stage clients, but I don’t stuff it down their throats either. By emphasising the more pragmatic work, I give them what they need. At that time.
And some will pick up on the weirder things I say, and want to explore further. Those are the perfect clients for me. And if I twisted myself all out of shape to present a pretend version of me, I’d never get to work with those people. And we’d all miss out.
For solo practitioners performance is being in the moment
It’s a balancing act, to allow people to see the right elements of your Being at the time that will best serve them. You’re probably not going to get it right all the time. But if you allow your intuition to guide you, you’ll get it right more often than not. That does require a little bit of trust in your abilities, and in the wisdom of your intuition. And also in your perfect client’s wisdom in picking up on those parts of your genius.
So the question becomes: are you choosing the right time to let people get a glimpse of everything you are?
Performance vs Pretence
Performance for solo practitioners like you is very different from that pretence that comes from adopting a role that’s not who you are.
Pretence: misleads and manipulates.
Performance: engages and inspires.
When you pretend to be someone you’re not, the best outcome your clients will get is an uncomfortable feeling that something’s not quite right. At worst, they can feel horribly disappointed, like they’ve somehow been tricked. Even if you were adopting the role with the very best of intentions.
But when you show up as who you really are, that will attract the clients you can genuinely help. Like I said earlier, you’ll probably choose not to blow their minds with the full quantum version of what you can do.
And if what they experience is the essence of who you are, what they’ll receive from you will be everything you can do for them, in that moment.
Here’s a question to ask yourself before every meeting or client session:
What part of my genius does my client need from me right now?
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You can watch me explore this topic in my Joyful Genius Live on Facebook here: Performance vs Pretence
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