Stage fright--- how to overcome it


Stage fright is very common. Almost every good speaker, in the beginning, faces and experiences it. Many talented and gifted people fail to express their valuable and worthwhile thoughts just because of this menacing fear. They are too shy and nervous to go to the stage and face the audience. Hence, their talents and potential lie hidden, untapped and unrecognized.

Having and feeling some nervousness before going to stage to perform or address a public is quite natural and healthy. It shows your care to do well and leave a good impression upon your viewers, audience or listeners. It also points out your careful and cautious approach in dealing with the delicate issue of Public Speaking. But, excessive or too much nervousness and feeling of baseless and unfounded apprehension is very detrimental. It shatters and saps your confidence. Following are some useful suggestions to help you overcome your nervousness and stage fright in order to show effective and memorable performances on the stage:

1. Never hesitate to go to stage whenever you are invited or asked to do so. Your fright will reduce with every time you go to stage. Remember the saying,, “Do the things you are afraid of , your fear will vanish soon.”
2. Never underestimate yourself. Visualize yourself being winner, successful and victorious.
3. Your audience love to see you succeed. Don’t harbour any fear or doubt towards them. Try to be friendly and they will reciprocate in shape of their much-needed encouragement and support for you.

4. Be confident. You must have something meaningful, concrete and informative to share with your audience. Concentrate your attention on the message you have to impart. The more absorbed you are in the contents of your message, the less distracted you will be. This will help you overlook the unnecessary fear.
5. Excessive self-consciousness is a great barrier and an impediment in your smooth sailing towards success on stage. It must be shunned forthwith. Every one has some flaws and shortcomings, but thinking over them again and again will diminish your confidence and cloud and eclipse your positive points.
6. Harness your nervous energy and try to transform it into vitality and enthusiasm.
7. Gain experience. The more experience you have, the better for you.
8. Learn from your mistakes and foibles. Never repeat them. This will surely bring a sea change in your personality.
9. Don’t give too much importance to what people think of you. Always remember that most of the people are neither against us nor in favour of us. It’s up to us how we mould their thinking in favour of us with our positive attitude and optimistic frame of mind.

If these useful tips are properly implemented, I believe the problem of stage fright will soon take its heels. Beat your stage fright by showing your strong will power and persistence. You determination will go a long way to help you overcome this fear.


REGARDS