3 Tricks to help you manage stage fright
No matter who you are...stage fright is downright tricky.
To help a little, here are three of my favourite techniques and strategies to manage nerves and jitters. From calming breathing tips to confident posture, all of these ideas can be useful when you’re prepping for your big speech or performance.
So, dive in and try out these tricks one at a time. And remember, there’s no hard or fast rule about what will work for you. Test things out, pay attention, and be willing to stretch yourself. The biggest way to succeed is to try, try, and try again.
Trick #1: Accept it.
This may sound like an anticlimax, but the first step to managing your stage fright is to accept it. Yup, I’m talking old-fashioned surrender, which means strategically accepting what you’re dealing with.
With stage fright, we become so accustomed to running away that stopping and surrendering is actually a surprisingly strong power play. It’s like David turning and facing Goliath, St. George tackling the dragon, or Joan of Arc facing an army. You may be small in the face of your fear, but just by acknowledging the issue, you can gain a mental edge.
If you openly admit that stage fright is a problem, suddenly you’re in a position of control. You’re telling your brain very clearly, “I’m scared...but I’m in charge.” Even if your knees are knocking in fear, you’re taking a moment to stand up and declare that something is about to change. No matter what, you are here to DEAL with your fears.
Ask yourself:
Am I OK in small events, but terrible on stage in front of an audience?
Am I great with one-on-one interviews, but tongue-tied in front of a TV camera?
We’re all different, so take a moment and identify what really bugs you. The more you know, the better you can strategize some solutions to build your confidence.
Trick #2: Prevent it.
This is where the old Boy Scout motto, “Be Prepared”, comes in handy. To help handle the jitters, make sure you do everything possible to get ready for your talk or performance. Practice your pieces, go over your notes, and get feedback from friends. Do whatever it takes to help you recognize that you’re ready to go.
Rehearsing is probably the biggest confidence booster ever, and preparation is essential to help you feel comfortable before you step on stage or in front of the cameras. Even when your brain is sending surges of nervous adrenaline through your system, you’ll know that you’ve got this nailed.
Being prepared for anything also means handling any distractions and foul-ups that might add to your stress. And I know this advice is going to sound like I’m your crazy grandma, but trust me...when you’re rattled with nerves, you’re 100% more likely to forget your phone charger or get lost on the way to the TV studio.
Trick #3: Kick it (with your buddies).
Sure, we’re used to being independent powerhouses (and “don’t worry, I got this” is hands-down our favourite phrase).
So when it comes to public speaking, we rarely ask for help. We’re embarrassed by our nervous reactions, fears, and insecurities. And we’re convinced that if we just get our act together we’ll be able to solve this dumb problem.
Slow down, my friend. Feeling isolated by your fears is one of the hardest things to manage. This isn’t about trying to do everything on your own. Instead of building an island fortress of nervousness…build a support network around you.
Friends, family, colleagues, buddies...no matter who it is, a built-in cheering section will help you manage the tough times ahead.
If you’re planning any kind of talk or performance or interview, share your terror with the people you love. Force them to sit through your rehearsals and give you feedback (they’ll do it because they love you).
And don’t be fooled thinking you need to tough it out on your own. Pushing yourself out into the spotlight is hard work, so rally cheerleaders around you pat you on the back and celebrate your success.