Performance Anxiety: Stage Fright Micro-Lessons

Short & sweet insights to help you overcome Performance Anxiety and tame the Stage Fright monster!

Managing our performance anxiety is about transforming playing for others from something to dread into something to celebrate. And all it takes to get there are some simple attitude adjustments and a wee bit of courage. Let’s go!

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Performance Anxiety: Stage Fright Micro-Lessons

Think of managing your nerves as just another SKILL to master… just as we master melody, harmony, rhythm, and technique. ~fjp

The best way to stop worrying about things is to eliminate things to worry about. ~fjp

Don’t try to suppress your fears; instead, expand your COMFORT ZONES! ~fjp

If you are going to worry, make sure you worry about the right things! (For example: Don’t worry about making a mistake; worry about being boring.) ~fjp

Your comfort in front of an audience is found by BEING YOURSELF, not what you think anyone else wants or expects you to be. ~fjp

Small confidence comes from knowing the music; BIG CONFIDENCE comes from knowing that you know the music! ~fjp

Know the music so deeply that, when you make the inevitable mistake, you can keep on playing like it’s no big deal. ~fjp

It’s okay to take our music seriously without taking ourselves seriously. ~fjp

Did you know… that just a wee bit of positive thinking has the power to crowd out ALL negative thoughts? ~fjp

Did you know… that SMILING makes you feel better? ~fjp

A SMILE is so powerful that it will make people around you smile… and feel better, too! ~fjp

Authentic CONFIDENCE is born of HUMILITY, not self-importance. ~fjp

Playing for the right reasons is the best way to frustrate the stage fright monster. ~fjp

A great antidote to self-consciousness: “Don’t listen to ME; listen to the SONG!” ~fjp

Sincere GRATITUDE can transform a performance from a dreadful ordeal into a life-affirming CELEBRATION. ~fjp

CONFIDENCE and presence cannot be commanded; confidence and presence are the fruit of PREPARATION, EXPERIENCE, and COURAGE. ~fjp

There is no bigger confidence booster than confronting the stage fright monster face to face… and living to tell the story. ~fjp

Life’s most painful regret is not having tried and failed… but of never having tried at all. ~fjp

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Please let Frank know if you’d like to get these micro-lessons as a PDF or set of MP3s.

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learn more… Performance Anxiety