Overcoming Performance Anxiety

Performance anxiety or a stage fright is an anxiety, fear or a persistent phobia which could be possibly aroused within an individual by the requirement to perform in front of an audience, be it actual or potential. When spoken in terms of public speaking this kind of fear is termed as gloss phobia which is a very common one. Such an anxiety would either proceed or may accompany participation in any kind of activity which would involve public self presentation.

This kind of performance anxiety may be visible or observed among public performers such as athletes and musicians. Na place like this it is manifested as a fear of underperforming.

Most often it is noticed that a stage fright arises only in mere anticipation of a performance. This happen way long time ahead. There are numerous manifestations such as fluttering heart, tremors in the hands and legs, diarrhea, facial nerve tics as well as a dry mouth. It is mostly observed that stage fright happens in almost all experiences as well as backgrounds, whether they are beginners or professionals. Most musicians or stage performers use beta blockers in order to avoid a stage fright. While in other cases they would use alcohol.

Most anxieties would cause negative effects to the performance level and quality of the performer in different situations such as examinations, interviews for a job and on the stage as well.

Back in the days an experiment was conducted by Barrell, Medeiros and Price on the performance anxiety. Here were five separate elements which were the cause that were present in the experience of performance anxiety.

One main problem was where people felt that there others present who were more significant than them and that they would judge the performer. While experiencing a performance anxiety the performers tend to imagine that others are there with more power compared to them. In order to get rid of this anxiety or thinking it is important that they increase their own senses and power as well in order to accept themselves.

Always eliminate all negative possibilities in order to get rid of the performance anxiety. The possibility of a negative outcome is always there but worrying about it before it occurs is wrong. Focusing on the present rather than the future is much better and productive as well.

If a person was to realize that there is nothing catastrophic which would happen, then the requirement to avoid the failure may go down as well and a positive outlook maybe achieved and a positive goal maybe looked forward to. To provide others with pleasure could be a good example of a positive goal. Even more it helps to focus on the process and also the moment to moment experience rather than the results of a performance.

If a person is uncertain about his goal then the possibility of having an anxiety is there. It is suggested to keep in mind that a person has no control over another person's judgment or reactions but only their own performance.

One important component of performance anxiety is to be aware of a person's own behavioral or appearance. A way to reduce the performance anxiety is by increasing their own awareness to others rather than considering them as judges.

• John Palsson
• 26/04/2009, 8:59 AM
• 0 Comments