The fear of performing, also known as performance anxiety or stage fright, is a common experience for many people. It can occur in a variety of settings, such as public speaking, musical performances, and athletic competitions. The fear of performing can be debilitating, causing physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, and nausea, as well as psychological symptoms like self-doubt and negative self-talk. However, with the right tools and mindset, it is possible to conquer this fear and perform at your best.
I’ve always wanted to sing as a career ever since I was young and this meant performing in front of people and getting over that fear of performing. While I can say I love performing especially in front of crowds now, it wasn’t always that way. When I was in high school, I was lucky that the school I went to had plenty of music courses. One of them was tailored for someone like me. My friends and I signed up for the Vocal Techniques course, where you do vocal warmups, practice, sing a song in front of the class every one to two weeks using a microphone and receive feedback.
When I Started Out
The very first time I went up to sing in grade 10, I remember my hands and even my entire body trembling, I’ve never felt more nervous in my life. I was consumed by fear. The four to five minutes up there felt like a century. Every pair of eyes watching seemed like little balls of fire radiating heat. As time went on and I got more experience, it gradually became less daunting. I practiced each week both at home and at school. Back then I knew I wasn’t a great singer but I also had enough confidence that I could pull off performing for a few minutes and at least sound alright.
The other thing that allowed me to push forward was I genuinely had a love for performing, as I became more confident in my abilities, all I had to do was to let go and just sing. I knew I had enough practice and I was fully capable of doing well. Just like one of the guys in the actor panel invited by one of our instructors at BCIT said regarding overcoming fear, all I had to do was to go “f*ck it”. Suddenly, things weren’t so scary anymore.
Progress and Growth
Eventually, I went from shaking with fear in grade 10 to wanting to go first in grade 11, I couldn’t wait to go first. Knowing how to overcome the nerves meant I was able to just sing the way I wanted to in front of everyone. Performing in front of people went from daunting and scary to exciting and even enjoyable.
Since then, I’ve sang in front of crowds of hundreds of people and regularly go to pub karaoke nights where there are anywhere from a few dozen to close to 100 people. I know the stage is where I belong and where I want to be, nothing else is as exhilarating and nothing else feels as right. After I graduate from BCIT, I plan to move back to China within one to two years and to try out for some singing competitions.
Looking back, I have certainly come a long way, if you love performing or you are interested in it but think it’s scary or don’t have enough experience yet. Here are some tips and methods to help you get there.
Some Tips and Pointers
The first step in conquering the fear of performing is to understand its underlying causes. For many people, performance anxiety is rooted in a fear of failure or negative evaluation. This fear can be compounded by the pressure to succeed and the belief that one’s self-worth is tied to their performance. In addition, the physical symptoms of performance anxiety can create a feedback loop, where the fear of experiencing these symptoms actually makes them more likely to occur.
One effective way to overcome the fear of performing is through preparation and practice. By practicing your performance ahead of time, you can increase your confidence and reduce the risk of mistakes. This can be done through rehearsals, mock performances, or visualization exercises. Visualization, in particular, can be a powerful tool for reducing performance anxiety. By mentally rehearsing your performance and imagining yourself succeeding, you can build a positive mindset and reduce the fear of failure.
You Are Not Alone
Another important thing to know is that you are not alone, everyone feels nerves, especially when they first start out, but even for seasoned professionals who do this for a living, a little bit of nervousness is not only common but very normal. To me, this signifies that there’s still that anticipation, that I’m still excited for the stage and that every time I’m up there, there’s still something on the line. This isn’t necessarily a negative thing, when harnessed well, I feel that in many ways, it actually gives me a boost in energy and makes me more focused on performing well.
Another technique for conquering performance anxiety is to focus on the present moment. Often, anxiety is fuelled by thoughts about the future or past, such as worrying about what might go wrong or dwelling on past mistakes. By bringing your attention to the present moment and focusing on your immediate surroundings, you can reduce these distracting thoughts and stay grounded in the present. This can be done through deep breathing, mindfulness meditation, or other relaxation techniques.
In addition, it is important to develop a positive mindset and self-talk. Negative self-talk, such as telling yourself that you’re not good enough or that you will fail, can contribute to performance anxiety and undermine your confidence. Instead, try to focus on positive affirmations and self-talk, such as reminding yourself of past successes or visualizing a successful performance. It can also be helpful to reframe your thinking about failure. Rather than seeing it as a reflection of your worth as a person, try to view it as a learning opportunity and a natural part of the growth process. I know I have had numerous bad performances and used to never be able to get past the first round for anything that required auditions. Nowadays I have won pub competitions and always have people giving me compliments I didn’t think I could get after performing.
Seeking Support
Finally, seeking support from others can be an effective way to conquer performance anxiety. This can come in the form of seeking feedback and guidance from mentors, friends, or coaches, or simply having a supportive audience. Knowing that others believe in you and are rooting for your success can help to alleviate anxiety and build confidence.
As you can see, the fear of performing is a common experience that can be overcome with the right tools and mindset. By understanding its underlying causes, preparing and practicing ahead of time, focusing on the present moment, developing a positive mindset and self-talk, and seeking support from others, it is totally possible to conquer performance anxiety and perform at your best. Remember, fear is a natural part of the growth process, and facing it head-on can lead to personal and professional growth. With persistence and determination, you can overcome your fear of performing and achieve your goals.