Performing under pressure is often difficult. When major interests are at stake, it becomes difficult to do even the simplest things without errors. Everyone knows the feeling of exam anxiety. Or fear of speaking in front of a full room. How do you ensure that you do not panic and stress? How do you manage the tension, radiate self-confidence and, despite your nervousness, still perform so that the outside world thinks you have nerves of steel?
To perform under pressure
Lack of self-confidence when you have to do a very important job often borders on fear. Usually fear of going public. The consequences of that stage fright can be serious. It can drastically affect your career. It is a well-known phenomenon that there are many graduated musicians and other performing artists who never wish to perform solo in front of an audience, and limit themselves exclusively to studio recordings, etc., because of the great fear of making audible mistakes.
Healthy tension is a normal phenomenon
No one can avoid being publicly in the foreground every now and then. A speech, a speech or a presentation is often accompanied by stage fright. But an exam also has the same bottlenecks. Few are so cool-headed that they have no tension whatsoever.
What can we do about the stress?
First of all, we must realize that most of us still manage to appear successful. Apparently many people find a way to manage the tension. The knowledge that many successful politicians, sports heroes and artists always suffer from great pressure in advance is in any case good for our self-confidence because we realize that we are dealing with a normal phenomenon.
Never make this mistake
Never say to someone, even if it is probably true, “I’m dreading it” or “I find it scary”, or words to that effect. It could be disastrous if you later notice that that person is in the room. Because how can you radiate self-confidence to someone (the audience) to whom you have just confided that you are afraid?!
So keep your insecurity a secret at all times. On the other hand, behave like the athlete, who tells everyone under all circumstances says: “ I will definitely win !”
Tips some time before the big moment
- we have thoroughly prepared ourselves for what we have to do, because if we have not thoroughly delved into the subject matter, it is of course logical that we are afraid that we will mess up the presentation or the exam and there is little that can be done about it
- we are going to tell ourselves that our insecurity does not have to be noticeable to anyone else: no one sees our shaking knees, shaking hands or pounding heart
- We realize that we can normally do the job without an audience, so we certainly can do it with an audience
- we understand that the people who listen to us are not enemies and probably think: “I admire that he/she is standing there, because I wouldn’t dare do it myself”
- If we make a mistake, we know that not everything has failed
- we remember that we have done exciting things in our lives before, which also went quite well
- we also know that dying is much worse
Tips just before the big moment
- we ensure that we have put on the right outfit, clothes that we feel comfortable in and that fit the situation
- for acclimatization, we are present where we need to be well in advance (at least 1.5 hours) and we take delays and even car breakdowns into account
- If possible, we will take a look at the room where the event will take place, what the room looks like, etc.
- just stand at the position where it will happen shortly and test the microphone, then we will probably get used to it
- after we have checked all possible attributes, perhaps have briefly consulted some notes, perhaps gone for a walk, with a relaxed body, so not with hunched shoulders
- We ponder the relativity of everything for a moment and tell ourselves again that there are many worse things
- then we go in with a relaxed face and we know that we will score successfully
The last minutes
- As soon as we enter, we act relaxed towards everyone and look confident in our eyes
- If it is a presentation or speech, we prefer to walk into the room where it will take place
- We do not avoid any listeners who may already be there, but we greet them kindly
- When the moment finally arrives and we arrive with our hearts pounding, we notice that the tension quickly fades away
- Now first ask for attention, wait patiently until everyone gives it and then start at a leisurely pace
Good luck!