There are many things you can try on your own to help you deal with the stress of playing music for others.
I have compiled some practical techniques throughout my years of research on this subject. They help me cope with--no, have fun-- performing, and my hope is that they will help you too.
We all want to play our best--and there is nothing wrong with that!
I have given many workshops on performance anxiety, and I have presentations that are specifically tailored to middle- and high-school students, music majors in college, and adult amateurs.