7 Ways To Beat Performance Anxiety

It's time to go on stage and all of a sudden you break out into a cold sweat, your mouth gets dry, your hands start to shake, your breath gets shallow, and you can't remember the first word of the song. Sound familiar? We've all been there! It's all because of that dreaded thing called performance anxiety or stage fright.

As a performer and teacher, I know firsthand the struggles of performance anxiety. Fear is our body's natural response to unfamiliar and uncontrollable situations. You may not be able to prevent the nerves but you can learn to manage them. Here are a few things that may help.

• Meditation. Set aside some time to center yourself through meditation. If you are new to meditation, try using a guided meditation app.

• Create a mantra or an affirmation that you can repeat to yourself that will help you focus on the positive. For example, “I am a gifted singer. This is what I was born to do.” “I am going to kill it!” “This performance is going to be amazing!”

• Visualize yourself doing well. Oftentimes, we spend hours and hours thinking about what can go wrong. Try visualizing yourself doing well. What does it feel like? What does it look like? Stay with that feeling and show up with that energy.

• Do some breathing exercises. Practicing deep breathing can help to calm your nerves and slow your heart rate down. It’s important to connect to your mind and body so that you can focus on giving your best performance.

• Warm up your voice. Make sure to set aside time to do a full warm-up (approx. 30 min or more) early in the day. Then, do some light warm-ups right before the performance.

• Eliminate the unknowns. Go to the venue, stand on the stage, run through your set, get a feel for the venue space. Do a sound check. Get there early. If the performance is virtual, double-check your mic and speakers. Make sure your background is free of distractions and that the camera angle is optimal. Do a test run and record yourself before going live.

• Get lost in the music! When it is time to perform, think about what you are trying to communicate through the song, not whether you sound good or not. You have practiced, you are ready so you don't need to worry about that part. Vibe with the music, enjoy yourself. If you must, evaluate yourself AFTER the performance, not during. Your audience wants to see you connecting with the music. When you are connected, they will feel connected to you. That connection is what keeps them coming back for more!

Try using these techniques and perform in low-risk situations to build your confidence. It could be a small crowd, in front of family and friends, or you can just record yourself. As with everything else, it takes practice and consistency. Remember, courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let your fear stop you. Don’t let performance anxiety stop you from sharing your gift with the world!