Conquering stage fright by reframing

Yes you have stage fright, but are you sure it’s a problem? Is it really so bad? You’re supposed to feel something when you go on stage. It’s not like folding the laundry. A lot of performers, tending towards the “thrill seeker” personality type, actually relish the adrenaline rush that comes along with butterflies in the stomach.

Personally, my challenge has gone from stage fright to something like the opposite. You’ll often see me yawning back stage, just before going on, or doing jumping-jacks or push-ups to get my energy level up for a show. I think it’s a coping mechanism that started with bad stage fright in the early days of my singing career.

What you want is to achieve what psychologists call the “optimal level of arousal.” Certainly too much nervousness can ruin your performance, but a lack of energy can be every bit as bad when you’re shooting for passion and impact.

You have to ask yourself, is it really so bad? And even if it’s quite uncomfortable, does it really affect your performance?

Some studies referenced in Wilson’s book have shown that audiences seem to like performances best when the performer felt he or she was a bit too nervous! And if your priorities are in order, you have to admit that the audience’s opinion is more important than yours on this one! Or do you find that everything is always about you? ;)

Consider your symptoms and how you label them. So you’re sweating and your heart is beating fast – if you were riding your bike, you would just call that a good workout. If you were having sex, you would call it really good sex! Perhaps you can take your stage fright symptoms, label them as “exciting performance” and be cured!

Bottom line, maybe you can learn to accept your stage fright symptoms, and stop worrying about it.

If not, read on.