Performer Performance.

Have you heard the saying, “More ideas go to the grave rather than be realized”?
Or have you read or heard the news of performance anxiety suffered by comedians, actors or dancers, professional and non-professional alike?
While the idea of mental toughness, mental strength and resilience is quite common among athletes, it is still seen as uncommon in non-sport individuals, such as writers, performers, etc.

Many celebrities came out about their struggles with emotions and pressure to perform, including Ryan Reynolds, Britney Spears, and Anne Rice. A study conducted by The University of Sydney (2015) of 782 actors showed a quarter have experienced ‘debilitating performance anxiety’ at some point in their career and many have relied on alcohol and drugs to cope with the pressure and burden of their roles. While some experienced the breakdown, some managed it well.  So, probably the important question is,” WHAT can we do to manage it?”

Some practical skills that might be helpful to manage emotions are:

• Self-Talk & Positive Affirmation. Research has found that self-talk and positive affirmation can alter the brain function connected to performing cognitive performance (Junhyung et al., 2021) and assist in a variety of higher mental functioning, such as focus attention (Geurts, 2017). So, find the affirmation that suits you and intentionally repeated it. It might be tough in the beginning, but practice makes perfect.

• Visualisation. Studies have found that visualisation has shown an increase in performance (Predoiu, 2020). Visualise what you want to achieve and how you achieve that. Visualise how you want the audience to see you. Feel the emotions and the process, and see how it will turn out for you.

• Focus on the PRESENT. As the saying goes, “Past has long gone, Future has yet to come, so we left with Present.” Focus on the NOW. Mindfulness practices such as focusing on your senses can help you be in the present moment.

• Jot it down. Journal your experiences. It can be down by writing or choosing an image to represent the experiences. Besides helping to release the emotions, it helps to discover the cause of the anxiety.

• Seek Inspiration. Don’t be ashamed. Many others have managed to break the mental block. Learn from their experiences. Find the experiences that suit your style, and try them out.

• Take a break. Recharge! Do something enjoyable, connect with others, and connect with yourself.

• Get some support. Remember that you are not alone. It’s OK not to be OK, so it’s fine to accept help from trusted family and friends.

If the block seems so thick and the overwhelming feeling continues, you might want to talk to a professional (counsellor, psychologist, or psychotherapist). They might be able to help you better in managing the stuckness and give you some clarity.