It’s one of the most common fears to plague mankind. More commonly known as “stage fright,” performance anxiety can be more complicated than just getting a little nervous before any kind of performance or presentation. Even though there is no possible way to completely wipe out your stage fright, there are some things you can do help you work through it. It may also be comforting to know that even the most seasoned, veteran performers and public figures deal with some degree of performance anxiety. You may even learn how to harness it to your advantage – you can always turn a negative into a positive!
Stage fright can happen to even the most outgoing people. You don’t need to be shy to experience it. However, there are some famous people who were shy, yet overcame their shyness in one way or another to accomplish their goals. Lucille Ball was told early in her career that she shouldn’t persue acting because of her shyness. Both Johnny Carson and David Letterman were known off stage as being reserved and quiet people. (Carson even suffered from severe social anxiety.) These people are able to put aside any performance anxiety they might have to entertain people. How do you think they did it?
They practiced their act until they could do it in their sleep. Rehearse your speech or performance in front of the mirror or record yourself on camera. This gives you more confidence in your ability and gives you a front row seat so you don’t feel like you need to guess what the audience is seeing. Make improvements where you see fit. Your mind and body will go into “auto pilot” and you can trust that you will remember your lines. Repetition promotes muscle memory, which is what helps you remember to learn how to swim, ride a bike or play the guitar – it becomes second nature.
Stay present. The heightened “fight or flight” response can play tricks on your mind while you are on stage. You might suddenly try to project yourself into the next few minutes of your routine, or think about what you said five seconds ago. Focus on what you are doing, its meaning and remember why you are there in the first place – to entertain or to inform.
Don’t try to guess what people are thinking. Just because someone in the audience is yawning doesn’t mean they are bored. They might just be very tired. Trying to guess what people are thinking of you is a waste of your energy when you should be focusing on what you are doing or saying.
Let it keep you sharp. A little adrenaline rush doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Try to use it to make your more enthusiastic and dynamic in your performance.
Discuss beta blockers with your doctor. Many performers take “beta blockers” to help control their stage fright. These are blood pressure medications (such as propanolol or atenolol) that, taken in small doses before a performance, help control your nervous system. If you experience physical symptoms from performance anxiety, like shaking, breaking into a sweat, hyperventilating or other common symptoms of a panic or anxiety attack, beta blockers can help. They prevent the fight or flight response signals in your body, but won’t help much if the fear is solely psychological. They also won’t help improve your performance – you can only do that with practice, practice and more practice.
Performance anxiety doesn’t have to be the nightmare we often make it out to be. It can even be our best ally and actually help us be better on stage.
Don’t fight it – embrace it!
Click here to watch a short video about the ROOT CAUSE of all anxiety.
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