GREAT SPEAKERS NEWSLETTER - September 1, 2018
I first published this article back in July of 2012 and I am still advising my clients to use ISIE. It works for speakers, it works for actors, it works in your every day life. ~ Barbara
Use ISIE to Conquer Performance Anxiety
Let’s talk about nerves, fear, being scared of audiences as a speaker and as an actor. There is an approach I’ve used with clients on such issues and I’d like to share it with you. Turn I’M SCARED into I’M EXCITED. Days, hours, even minutes before you audition, or go on stage to perform or speak, – turn it around. It’s easy – I S I E.
I’M SCARED – I’M EXCITED
Admit You Are Scared
That’s right admit it. Say it out loud.
- I’m afraid I am going to SCREW UP.
- I'm afraid I will make a FOOL of myself.
- I’m afraid I’ll FORGET what I’m saying.
- I’m afraid I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH.
- I’m afraid they WON'T LIKE ME.
Realize this is "old stuff" and it’s EASY TO CHANGE.
Change to It’s Exciting
You have a MESSAGE and you know it will be USEFUL to your audience.
- Get excited about it.
- Get excited about meeting new people.
- Get excited about having a gift to give people that will make a difference in their lives.
- Get excited that you have this wonderful opportunity to be part of a community.
- Get excited because it WILL BE A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.
It works. Our mind starts imaging it ALL WORKING.
Fear & Excitement are Similar
Did you know that FEAR and EXCITEMENT live in the same place in your body? The adrenaline rush is the same. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS YOUR LABEL. Try this exercise...
REMEMBER A TIME YOU WERE AFRAID.
NOW, REMEMBER A TIME YOU WERE EXCITED.
Was there any difference in your body? Your heart races, you feel butterflies flapping wildly in your gut, your breathing intensifies, you feel a sense of heightened sensitivity as your eyes widen and your limbs quiver with anticipation. They’re the same. So focus on IT’S EXCITING!
Now there is more to public speaking, – vocal presence, authenticity, the construction of the speech. However, next to content, none of that is AS IMPORTANT AS YOUR EXCITEMENT and YOUR ENTHUSIASM. It trumps everything.
 Don’t make the mistake of trying to calm this powerful Niagara Falls of adrenalin.
Your body is geared up for Fight or Flight and denying it won’t make it go away.
If you’ve been reading this newsletter you know you need a solid preparation before going on stage. Your physical being is as important as your vocal presence. Here’s a quick way of dealing with this adrenalin rush.
Jump up and down or run around the block and recite “IT’S EXCITING” (even if at first you don’t believe it.)
This physical action can make a huge difference. Harnessing this energy instead of denying it can turn a GOOD SPEAKER INTO A GREAT ONE.
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