Stage Fright: Stage fright is the term we most often associate with performance related anxiety.

Although it reveals itself in different ways, people's fears are really quite consistent. Researchers

at the University of Manitoba, Canada, found the greatest fear is showing signs of anxiety such

as trembling or having a shaky voice. Fear of the mind going blank, freezing and being unable to

continue, saying or doing something embarrassing. In principle, there isn't such a difference

between talking to one person and talking to several. Granted, more of a two-way interaction is

expected with just two people, but beyond this the difference between say speaking to two or two

hundred is a matter of scale. Whether we talk to one person or to many we engage in a process

where both the speaker and those who listen have goals. In a successful delivery, goals are met,

but if anxiety inhibits the process neither the speaker nor the audience is satisfied.  Anxiety is

contagious and it results in frustration.   Stage fright starts from a kind of self-handicapping

internal dialogue. It goes along the lines of the person feeling they are not experienced or clever

enough to do this. Aside from the actually skill of presentation, the person fears the negative

evaluation of others and of being the center of attention (at least for this activity). When the

person does begin their presentation, they may further handicap themselves by apologizing for –

feeling ill, for having previously muddled up their papers, for not having much time to research

the materials beforehand - and so on. It sets up a negative experience for their audience who are

left feeling they may be about to get a poor deal.

10 ways to reduce stage fright:

1. Shift the focus from yourself and your fear to your true purpose—contributing something
of value to your audience.
2. Stop scaring yourself with thoughts about what might go wrong. Instead, focus your
attention on thoughts and images that are calming and reassuring.
3. Refuse to think thoughts that create self-doubt and low confidence.
4. Practice ways to calm and relax your mind and body, such as deep breathing, relaxation
exercises, yoga, and meditation.
5. Exercise, eat well, and practice other healthful lifestyle habits. Try to limit caffeine,
sugar, and alcohol as much as possible.
6. Visualize your success: Always focus on your strength and ability to handle challenging
situations.
7. Prepare your material in advance and read it aloud to hear your voice.
8. Make connections with your audience: Smile and greet people, thinking of them as
friends rather than enemies.
9. Stand or sit in a self-assured, confident posture. Remain warm and open and make eye
contact.
10. Give up trying to be perfect and know that it is OK to make mistakes. Be natural, be
yourself.