Performance Anxiety

Performance anxiety is something that is relatively common in our society. Everyone knows someone who has had stage fright, or who is terrified of speaking in front of people. What about the stories you hear of famous musicians who experience extreme anxiety or panic attacks just before stepping on the stage in front of 20,000 people? This is also a type of anxiety that can affect things such as sexual performance.

It can affect personal performance in situations such as job interviews, business presentations, speaking or performing in front of a crowd, or speaking or performing in front of a camera.

Here are some steps that can be taken right away to help with performance anxiety:

Mentally rehearse. Visualize your performance going just as you'd like it to, and yourself enjoying every moment of it.

Be well prepared. Know your material as best you can. By preparing ahead of time you will develop confidence that will help during the performance, presentation, or event.

Let go of expectations. Once you've prepared and done your best, do your best to let go of any pressure that you might be putting on yourself. A lot of times we can put unnecessary pressure on ourselves before getting up in front of people.

Take a deep breath. By relaxing and telling yourself that you are going to enjoy the experience you are about to have, there is a much greater likelihood for you to be anxiety-free prior and during the event.

Do more of it. The more you present, speak, stand in front of the microphone or camera and perform, the easier it will be over time. In your free time practice presenting or performing to your friends or family members.

Don't worry about what other people might think. You've done your best and prepared, and that's all that you need to do. Now all you need to do is enjoy yourself while you're up front and center. The more you enjoy yourself and display real passion, the more other people will appreciate your presentation or performance.

Focus on a few people at a time. Pretend the group of people is smaller than it actually is. When you look up, look just above the heads of everyone (this way you are not looking directly at the group, but it appears you are making eye contact with them.) In time, or as soon as you feel comfortable you can start to make direct eye contact with a few people at a time from various parts of the audience. Keeping your focus to one or two people at a time while you are presenting or performing you are much more likely to be relaxed and give a more focused presentation. The audience should feel engaged and involved in your presentation, especially when you're regularly making eye contact with small groups from all over the audience.

Want an immediate solution to stopping panic attacks? Be sure to check out the one self-help system I recommend for stopping panic attacks now. The one program that is actually stopping people from having debilitating panic attacks and bouts of anxiety.

Where would you like to go next?

...Learn more of my specific tips & techniques for overcoming panic attacks?

...Read inspiring success stories submitted by our readers who are now panic-free?

...Find the one self-help system I recommend for stopping panic attacks now. The one program that is actually stopping people from having debilitating panic attacks and bouts of anxiety.

…Or take our free 7-day course with tips and techniques for getting rid of panic attacks?

Return from Performance Anxiety to Generalized Anxiety Disorder