Life Coaching Models & DJing
DJing is track selection, a lot of stuff in the middle and results in a performance. But that ‘stuff in the middle’ can cause a lot of head trash, espeically if you are not getting the connections you want in the industry.
Rather than blame the industry it may be worth looking at your own thoughts and feelings. Its the only area you can have full control and work on daily. By working on both you may be able to enter discussions with a different energy, less desperate and more focused. There is an assumption, that you either have good DJ sets and or music that you’ve produced but that alone won’t get you anywhere, it’s your friends that open doors.
Making friends in the music industry – using the CTFAR model
The CTFAR model, developed by The Life Coach School, is a powerful tool for understanding how thoughts influence emotions, actions, and ultimately, results. It stands for:
- Circumstance – A neutral fact about the situation
- Thought – Your interpretation or belief about the circumstance
- Feeling – The emotion that arises from your thought
- Action – The behavior driven by that emotion
- Result – The outcome created by your actions
Using the CTFAR Model to Build Industry Connections
Building meaningful connections in the music industry often feels daunting. Many DJs struggle with networking because they assume they need to “prove” themselves first. The CTFAR model can help shift that mindset.
Potential Issues DJs Face:
- Circumstance: You reach out to a promoter or fellow DJ and get no response.
- Thought: “They don’t think I’m good enough.”
- Feeling: Rejection, discouragement.
- Action: Withdrawing, avoiding further outreach, not networking.
- Result: Missed opportunities and fewer industry connections.
How to Address This Using CTFAR:
- Circumstance: You reach out to a promoter or fellow DJ and get no response.
- Thought: “They might be busy, or my message got buried. I’ll try a different approach.”
- Feeling: Neutral or motivated.
- Action: Following up politely, engaging with their content, making yourself visible in their circles.
- Result: More opportunities to connect and build relationships.
Practical Tips for DJs Using the CTFAR Model to Network:
- Recognize Negative Thought Patterns – Notice when you assume rejection instead of neutrality.
- Reframe Thoughts – Instead of thinking, “They ignored me,” shift to, “Maybe they haven’t seen it yet.”
- Choose Emotions That Serve You – Instead of frustration, embrace curiosity: “How else can I connect?”
- Act from Confidence, Not Fear – Approach networking with the mindset that you belong in the industry.
- Observe Results and Adjust – If one approach doesn’t work, tweak your strategy and try again.
Why the CTFAR Model Links Well with DJing
As DJs, we often experience performance anxiety, self-doubt, or imposter syndrome before gigs. The CTFAR model helps us recognise how our thoughts shape our emotions and behaviors and how we can reframe them to improve our performance.
Example of a Negative CTFAR Cycle in DJing:
- Circumstance: You have a big gig coming up.
- Thought: “I’m going to mess up, and people will notice.”
- Feeling: Anxiety, self-doubt.
- Action: Overpreparing, second-guessing yourself, playing too safe.
- Result: A stiff, uninspired performance that lacks confidence.
Reframing with a Positive CTFAR Cycle:
- Circumstance: You have a big gig coming up.
- Thought: “I’ve practiced, I know my music, and I’m here to share energy.”
- Feeling: Excitement, anticipation.
- Action: Engaging with the crowd, taking risks, enjoying the set.
- Result: A confident, high-energy performance that connects with the audience.
This model shows that our thoughts are the key to our experience. If we manage our mindset, we can transform fear into excitement, hesitation into creativity, and doubt into flow.
Practical Tips for DJs Using the CTFAR Model:
- Recognise Negative Thought Patterns – Catch yourself when you’re spiralling into self-doubt.
- Reframe Thoughts – Replace limiting beliefs with empowering alternatives.
- Choose Emotions That Serve You – Anxiety can be reinterpreted as excitement.
- Act from Confidence, Not Fear – Perform as if you belong in that booth.
- Observe Results and Adjust – Use post-gig reflection to refine your mindset.
The CTFAR model is like crate-digging for your brain. Find the unhelpful tracks (thoughts), replace them with better ones, and watch your set (performance) improve.
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