Everything Is Going To Be Just Fine

Do you feel terrified to perform? I do! … The pressure takes your breath away…your heart pounds, palms sweat, hands or legs shake… It gets in the way of sharing your gifts, doesn’t it?

Over the next few weeks, I’ll share a few tips that I use when I perform.

Take some time by yourself to have a ‘check-in’ before you perform. Here’s how:

Close your eyes and say hello (out loud or silently) to the part of yourself that is scared to death.   For example, you might say, “Kind of scary, huh?”

Then, listen for an answer.  “I’M TERRIFIED!!! GET ME OUT OF HERE! I DON’T WANT TO DO THIS! THIS IS A REALLY BAD IDEA!!!”

You’ll be surprised!  Often, you really do get a response when you take the time to do a check-in, and really listen for that voice or voices inside.

Lovingly respond to the scared part:  “I know it sounds crazy to you, but we can do this! It’s normal to feel scared. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. Right here, right now, we’re doing just fine.”

Our fear comes from our nervous system remembering experiences in our past when we felt isolated and frightened, with no help at hand.  These are potent memories that can get triggered by performance situations.   Our bodies remember what it felt like to be alone and scared.  So, we have to work extra hard to prove that actually in this moment… EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE JUST FINE.

One of the most helpful aspects of doing this work with yourself, is that you align yourself with the more confident adult part of yourself, rather than the often younger, scared part of yourself.  As odd as it may sound, it’s natural to have different aspects of ourselves that take charge at different times.

When we perform, we want our confident Self to be in charge.  BUT you’ll feel much better if you stay connected to the scared part, rather than hating it and wanting to wring its neck.  Try it!  Take time for a check-in to acknowledge that terrified part of yourself,  and you’ll be on your way to a stronger, more grounded performance!

HAVE QUESTIONS FOR MOVINGVOICE? Leave a comment to hear my thoughts!