Stage Fright - How To Tackle It?

You are about to go on stage to face the audience. Palms sweaty, heart racing and fear gripping you in such a way that your feet or tongue refuse to move? Relax! You are having a short period of stage fright. The first and most comforting thing to know is that the biggest and most popular performers and speakers also go through a period of nervousness before their big show. And yet, when you see them on stage, you'll not detect a bit of it. You can be that person too.

Why do you experience stage fright?
Being the centre of attention among the audience focused only on you can trigger thoughts of a bad or unconvincing performance resulting in loss of reputation, mockery and a perception of failure. The physical response your body has to this is called "fight or flight" syndrome which is a natural process designed to protect you.

So how do you face the situation and get better of it? Here are a few steps to get you there: 

1. Self-hypnosis / Hypnotherapy for stage fright: Imagine if you believed that you are a master public speaker and can feel calm and confident during every performance! A self-hypnosis or hypnotherapy session allows you to reach out into the recesses of your subconscious mind and harness its power to handle stressful situations like a stage performance. You may have heard the common proverb - You are what you believe, and this therapy proves it. The process will help you visualize your actual performance and link it with positive, encouraging and enjoyable images which will replace your anxiety with confidence. You can either visit a consultant or buy a CD online.

2. NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) for stage fright: NLP was created in the 1970s by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in California as a connection between neurological process, linguistic and behavioural patterns learnt through experience or programming. NLP claims to cure everything of phobias to depression to even the common cold. Though not scientifically proven, NLP uses a set of mental exercises to allow you to change your perception and blockages and hesitation into positive actions. Similar to hypnosis, it'll allow you to program yourself to believe and practice for a positive outcome in order to achieve it.

Add the wow factor: Anyone giving you their time deserves to leave with a 'wow'. Add facts, figures or moves that'll give them that. Add 'your' touch and style to it.