Two things can keep us from performing our best: an intense fight-or-flight response and our own perception. The following ideas deal with the latter and are used in cognitive therapy to help people change how they think. It's the ultimate mind control!
Change Your Perception: Refuse to see performance as a threat...
- Identify your REAL audience: No one at your concert or audition is hoping to witness your failure. Most people empathize with performers and hope they succeed.
- Keep perspective: Even if you play a wrong note, the world will not end. It will not cause your death. Everyone who loves you will still love you.
- Imagine the worst outcome: Think of the worst thing that could happen to you on stage. Would it really be that bad?
- Reframe your fear: Why did you choose to play music in the first place? Channel your fear into excitement about sharing that reason through your playing.
