Overcoming Performance Anxiety
Some people are so scared of performing in front of other people that they refuse to even try. The good news is, there are plenty of steps you can take in order to get over your fear. In this post, I'll explain the best ways to break out of your shell and start living life without so much anxiety.
It's an unfortunate fact that some people fear performing in public more than anything else. This fear can become crippling, and can stop them from ever doing anything fun, fun that is...
The good news is that now you know that it's completely normal to be afraid of performing. It's a perfectly acceptable reaction to have. One of the best ways to get over your fears is to use new situations as opportunities to get over the performance anxiety you have at home. You can start with small steps and build into bigger ones.
The first step is to stick to the same basic routine for your presentation whenever possible. I recommend avoiding the idea of dressing up in a costume, so that you don't confuse yourself over whether you're really presenting or not. By doing this, it will be harder for you to change your mind about what you're planning on doing onstage. If your presentation involves simple talking, then talk in as normal of an environment as possible. This can avoid confusion between work and play.
It's also important to show up early, so you can gather your thoughts and relax. Usually, people who are nervous assume the worst, and think that their audience will be a tough crowd. In reality, no matter how bad things may seem, most audiences want to enjoy themselves. They want you to succeed!
If you're planning on doing a presentation as part of a panel or group, then try to take part in all the preparation that's going on in advance of your talk. This will reduce your nervousness and make you feel more secure as you're going on stage. I suggest avoiding private meetings with other panelists, or asking them to take part in your presentation. Instead, try to speak with your audience during the set-up period before the talk. This will allow you to interact naturally so that you can build a rapport with people in advance of your talk.
Once you're on stage, try to keep your voice down. You'll sound much stronger if you talk quietly than if you yell at the top of your lungs. Also, try to make eye contact with people in the audience. As soon as you notice that someone is looking away, then make a brief glance away so they won't think you're staring at them. It helps to imagine that the audience is filled with friends and people who are there to cheer you on. Once you start talking, you'll probably be caught off-guard by how good it feels. You may have a hard time keeping yourself on track, but don't worry!
As long as you're aware of your own voice and the reactions of the audience, then you can confidently take over. The final step is to immediately get out of your head and accept that everyone is watching you. As long as you're aware of this fact, then it will be easier for you to put on an engaging show. You'll be surprised at how much talking you do when you're not thinking about it. Your audience will love to see a talker who can actually hold a conversation. Take advantage of the time when you've finished speaking and wait for applause. You won't need to worry about your presentation ending, because the audience will still be applauding at this point!
All of these tips can help ease your performance anxiety and make you more comfortable during presentations. If you keep on practicing, then your fears will gradually disappear. Just remember to stay positive and don't be afraid to give it a go!
(I know, this post is quite long. But I hope that my explanation of the topic made sense despite the length)
This is a documentary from the year 2006 about an autistic boy named Rainer, who was diagnosed with autism at age 6. You can watch it for free on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj4q3qhxEw4
Cute but Brief Summary: Rainer is a bright young boy who has a social interaction disorder, and this affects his ability to relate to others. He has a difficult time understanding emotional expressions and responding appropriately, as well as forming relationships with others. Rainer's struggle is not just emotional in nature, but also intellectual. Through multiple, gentle interventions and support, Rainer can develop the social and communication skills necessary to function on level ground with peers.
Even though Rainer's autism is severe, there is still hope for him and others diagnosed with autism. With the right care, he can learn how to interact with others and perhaps have a normal life.
Conclusion: Rainer is not a textbook case and I don't pretend to know all the ins and outs of his story. But I do think that this raises a good point, however. There are many children (and adults) diagnosed with autism, who do not exhibit all the symptoms of autism. Many autistic children are able to relate to others easily, express themselves well in social settings, and make eye contact with people they don't know. Because of this, they may be perceived as rude or strange by others.