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By: Shiraz Cohen Grad
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As it turns out, most people would prefer going to the dentist than standing in front of a live audience and perform – even if it’s just a professional presentation to their colleagues. And we know how people just LOVE going to the dentist…
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In fact, around 90% of the population experiences anxiety (in different intensities) up to a point that it compromises our performance. Some of us are just better at faking it. Public speaking and standing up on stage are in most cases unnatural and outside of our comfort zone, and that’s what causes our Adrenalin levels to shoot through the roof and other physiological symptoms like excessive sweating, dry mouth and palpitations to occur.
The good news? there are things that can be done to overcome that anxiety:
1. Gradual exposure: Like in every case of phobias, avoiding is the worst; it only intensifies the fear and weakens the ability to cope with the situation. Welcome any opportunity to speak in front of people – the more you do it the better you’ll get at it, making your anxiety levels to drop. It’s important to do it gradually and accumulate positive experiences.
2. Getting into a proactive state of mind and a “Yes I Can” attitude: If you just sit down, try to breathe and relax before the big moment, it won’t work. Your body is feeling anxious, so trying to “lie” to it by staying calm will just create the opposite effect. What you should be doing is something that releases positive hormones (endorphins) like watching an extreme sport on YouTube, listening to an upbeat song, dance or walk around. Anything that makes you feel positive excitement.
3. Wear something lighter than you would wear if you were sitting in the audience: A speakers’ body temperature is always higher than the crowds’. If you experience anxiety, you are most likely to sweat, so save yourself the discomfort in advance.
4. Hold something firm in your hand: An object gives us a sense of certainty and control; holding a marker, an electronic mouse etc. can help you relax. Make sure to not hold papers or anything too soft that can shake if your hands are unstable due to anxiety.
5. Arrive earlier and have a dry run exactly where you’ll be standing: This way, when it’s show time, your brain will tag it as a familiar place and experience, which will reduce any anxious reaction.
6. Record yourself on your smartphone and play it while you are relaxed (while driving, before you fall asleep etc.): This way, you’ll memorize the flow like lyrics to a song.
7. Have some small talk conversation with your soon-to-be audience: It helps to break the ice, get some friendly faces in the crows and lower the anxiety.
8. Make it about the audience: If you are feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and it compromises your performance, ask the audience a question or do a short relevant exercise with them and basically forward the dominance to them until you gain your strength and ownership back.
Remember, your anxiety is natural and you share it with most people in the free world, but like any other disturbing phenomenon it should be addressed rather than repressed. Start practicing and SHINE!
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