Not everyone can comfortably speak or perform in front of a lot of people. For some, it can even be a frightening experience which is to be avoided at all costs. Stage fright or performance anxiety affects a lot of people and some of the symptoms include anxiety and paranoia before, during and after a performance.
Performance anxiety affects even the most seasoned professional speaker or performer like business speakers and motivational speakers. For some, they are able to stay composed even when the stress of a public speaking performance is getting to them but for most however, the negative thoughts about what might go wrong take over.
The fear that people feel before a performance may rely on the context of the speaking role. A presenter’s level of anxiety may vary with respect to the size and status of the audience, the novelty of the situation, whether it is an individual performance, or as part of the group, and on the importance of the evaluation. For a larger audience, the speaker might experience more nerves. In a job interview, the applicant is more nervous in front of the manager than the secretary.
Variations Of Anxiety.
1. Commonly experienced by most people is intense, but transient anxious, fluttery sensations, that typically precede a performance, but disappear shortly after the performance begins. When the speaker begins to feel calmer, this shows that they are able and willing to perform and the adrenaline may even make them better.
2. If a speaker or performer has not practised, got no experience or does not have speaking skills, they may experience reactive anxiety. This will go away with practise and experience and of course, more public speaking. This is how business speakers get to the top; practise, practise, practise.
3. There are also physical and emotional signs of stage fright including sweating, shaking, an uneven voice and a quickening heart rate as well as fear and panic. What causes the speaker’s anxiety is the belief that he or she is being negatively evaluated.
Believing that your speech or performance will be a success is a way to alleviate these symptoms. The performer should learn to accept the fear but use breathing exercises and practise to overcome the fearful triggers. You may discover that fear still remains, but you notice that you can handle it, as you are beginning to get the sense of enjoyment from your performance and from connecting with others.
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