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Overcome Stage Fright

By: Gian Erguiza - April, 2008

The definition of stage fright is “nervousness at appearing before a live audience.” The addition of the word in dictionaries showed up in 1878, obviously due to the fact that people have been experiencing stage fright ever since then. Even big names in entertainment, sports, and music experience stage fright so don’t feel alone.

When you get stage fright, the usual suspect is that you have this feeling of inadequacy, fully prepared or not, to be displayed in front of people. Sometimes it’s just your self-conscious. Sometimes you have to get ni front of hundreds of people but sometimes it’s a million. The best way to overcome stage fright is to gain confidence in the way that you present yourself.

Performance:

Stage fright is no stranger to performing artists. Whether you are in a band, dancer, violinist, or sharing the stage with others, stage fright is a real problem. It doesn’t even matter if you’re alone or with others, the first thing you have to learn is how to get rid or eliminate your fear of performing.

You have to realize how much you want to be onstage. If your desire to perform in front of people is weak, you will falter. Your desire to perform in front of people has to be strong.

Breathing the right way onstage will help you relieve the stress and pressure of being onstage. Try some breathing exercises to get familiarized with the process of breathing in through your nose and breathing out through your mouth.

Visualization will also help alleviate anxiety. Make a visual run through of the role you’re going to play. While visualizing, take slow, deep breaths for your own benefits. Try to make the time to do this so you will feel more comfortable about your performance.

Make sure that everything you’re going to need is at hand or is close by. Having the items close to you gets you prepared mentally alleviating the anxiety. If you are an actor, make sure you memorized your lines. If you are a guitar player, make sure you have all of your equipment. If you are a dancer, make sure you have your moves pat down. Those “butterflies in your stomach” can actually make your performance better once you harness them into your performance.

Remember, you are a performer so do your job right and entertain the people. Always think like a pro and always act like a pro.

Public Speaking:

Make sure you have prepared all of your notes. The way that you approach you speech will make a big impact on how you deliver it. Make sure also that you have all of your machinery is ready, slides are in order, and your props available onstage or close to you.

Make sure that you are dressed well. You have to be comfortable in what you’re wearing. If you’re not comfortable wearing a full three piece and would rather wear something more semi-dressed casual, make sure it fits you well. You have to look your best so don’t cram on the last minute about what you’re going to wear or your stress will show when you speak. You have to look your best.

Mental preparation is key to public speaking. You have to remember that these people are no better than you. Be confident in what you are speaking about and be optimistic, no matter how bad or controversial your subject matter may be. Speak as clearly as you can and don’t forget to breathe! Make sure you have a steady pace of breathing going on and that your diction is clear as can be. Don’t move your arms around way too much but don’t just stand there either. Move with your speech and be creative and animated.

Sports:

There are a lot of sports that either concern you as solo, a team or a duo. For whatever type of event you’ll be in, proper breathing is essential. You also have to warm-up and stretch per your coach’s rules. Your exercise before and after the event should not be ignored. Always have a meal also before doing any rigorous sports like basketball or football. Proper nutrition plays a big hand in your performance.

Keep your mental state at neutral. If you are too focused on winning, sometimes it sets you back. Envision yourself doing your best out there instead. Some sports like ice skating or gymnastics require judging and overplaying it for them ruins your chances of winning. Don’t ignore them though but don’t show off too much either. Keep it simple with added pizzaz.

Stage fright haunts almost every type of performer whether it’d be performance, sports or public speaking. Don’t let stage fright hinder your performance in any way and don’t let it overwhelm you. Remember to stay focused, breathe deeply, and stay confident to overcome you stage fright anxiety.

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