How to handle stage fright.
Who hasn’t felt their heart race before speaking in public? I know I have. That sudden fear, that irrational anxiety is something I’ve felt more than once.
Can you get rid of stage fright completely? Honestly, no. But can you learn to manage it? Absolutely, with practice and by understanding how it affects you.
How stage fright hits you
The physical symptoms vary: your heart races, your hands get clammy, your breathing feels heavy, your vision blurs. You feel like you’re losing focus and control.
Then there’s how it affects your mind: fear of being boring, blushing, shaking, making mistakes, stumbling over words, anxiety. At the root of it all is one thing: the fear of people judging you.
How it impacts performance
A little stage fright can be energizing, but too much can be paralyzing. The goal isn’t to eliminate it completely, but to learn how to manage it. Don’t obsess over the symptoms; focus on the message you’re there to deliver.
How to keep stage fright in check
- Prepare. I can’t say this enough. Preparation is key.
- Practice. Rehearse out loud at least three times. It helps build automatic responses.
- Challenge negative thoughts. They’re often exaggerated and rarely reflect reality.
- Visualize success. Picture yourself on stage, confidently and comfortable.
- Relax and breathe. Remember, this isn’t life or death.
- Let go of perfection. That’s not what your audience expects.
Stay focused
Don’t judge yourself by how you think the audience will react.
They’re often more forgiving than you think. They’re not watching you under a microscope, waiting for you to slip up. Spoken language allows for hesitations and incomplete sentences. What really matters is that your message is clear, your voice carries, and your body language backs you up. That’s what holds people’s attention.
Stage fright won’t hurt your performance if you handle it properly. And the more you speak, the more confidence you’ll build.
