As much as 40% of the population admit to having stage fright. Stage fright leaves you feeling panicked at the very thought of getting on stage in front of a crowd, and can be downright debilitating. Your hands start to get clammy, and your throat gets tight. You may even feel like you’re going to faint.
The truth is that stage fright is nothing more than a manifestation of anxiety and self-doubt. By overcoming the root of the problem rather than only focusing on the symptoms, you can overcome your fear. Here are some of the best ways to take control of your stage fright and let your self-confidence soar.
Practice As Much As Possible
Try to be realistic about what your fear exactly is. More than likely, it’s a fear of making a mistake. How you do you eliminate that fear? You practice as much as possible. Whether you’re playing the piano or reciting poetry, practice over and over in the privacy of your own home.
You should be so well versed on whatever you’re presenting that it should flow effortlessly. When you know your material like the back of your hand, then your fears will start to fade.
Create a Vision
One of the greatest tricks to achieving great success is envisioning it. Try to see a crystal clear picture in your mind of exactly what you’d like to see happen.
Envision yourself standing on the stage, presenting yourself with great confidence and grace. Imagine the crowd giving you a standing ovation and exceeding your wildest expectations.
Never underestimate the power of manifesting your vision into a reality. By setting an intention and seeing it clearly in your mind’s eye, you’ll naturally move in the direction of making it so.
Stretch Your Body
Your body is a physical reflection of your emotions. At the same time, your feelings are greatly influenced by your physical well-being. When you are afraid and stressed, your whole body tenses up.
A great way to alleviate the tension is to do some stretching exercises. Stand tall and elongate your body, allowing each muscle to completely relax. Try to combine this with some deep breathing exercises so that your muscles are loosened even further.
By doing this immediately before going out on stage, you’ll feel much more prepared to present in front of an audience.
Look At The Back Of The Audience
Try to find a focal point in the back of the crowd and stick to it. By looking at one place and avoiding eye contact with the audience, you’ll feel much less overwhelmed by everyone’s eyes.
While focusing on one single point in the back of the room, don’t forget to breathe.
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