Who has not experienced sweaty palms, rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, and a quivery voice before a performance of some kind? Whenever we have to perform in some way, it can bring on all those things and more.
As a singer I’ve experienced this many times. When I had a full time voice studio I witnessed it many times in my singers. For you, perhaps it’s an interview or work presentation.
Whatever it is, it’s possible for anyone to use the ability of the mind to envision and create the desired outcome.
Think About It!
“What the mind of man (sic) can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” Napoleon Hill
Here is a step by step process for mentally and emotionally preparing for any kind of presentation or performance.
Step 1: Know Your Reason
Have a clear picture in mind about the ‘why’ and develop this picture at least a month before the event.
Step 2: Write a List of your Achievements
Start as far back in your past as you like. Write down that you were valedictorian when you were in grade 8; that you were chosen to sing a solo for your church; that you wrote an award winning story; that you have a talent for making people laugh. Put down anything and everything that comes to your mind and spend a few minutes a day for two or three days adding to the list.
Step 3: Find the Feeling
Once you have your list, sit quietly for a few minutes and review it. Do this several times. How do you feel? Does it feel pretty good? Excellent! You are going to use that feeling for the next step.
Step 4: Picture the End Result
Decide how you want to feel after your presentation or performance. How does it feel to visualize yourself receiving congratulations or smiling and thanking people for the compliments? How about just having that feeling inside that you did well?
Step 5: Write Your Vision
Now write a vision for your performance and describe everything. What do you see in the venue? What are the sights and sounds you will experience? Do a script and make sure it’s in first person and present tense. EG, “I am calm and focused. I see people applauding and appreciating my performance. I bring the house down!”
Step 6: Run Your Movie
Once you have your vision run it like a movie several times a day. Start your visualization by doing some focused breathing or listening to some relaxing music. Then when you have become centered, run the mental movie. You may not actually see the movie, only impressions of feelings. You may want to speak it out loud, tape it or just think about it. It doesn’t matter, just do it whichever way works for you.
Step 7: Turn Negative Into Positive
Each time you have a negative thought, turn the thought around. “Who’s going to want to hear me?” becomes “MY performance is going to touch at least one person and I don’t have to know what or who.” Turn all those thoughts around.
Step 8: Breathe
As you’re waiting for your cue, breathe. Stressed people breathe shallowly. Breathe slowly and deeply as you wait to go on.
Step 9: Celebrate
Enjoy it when your vision of the event becomes reality and people ask you for your autograph!
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