Performance Stress Rescue Checklist
1. Stop fighting the stress
Allow yourself to feel what you are feeling. Choose to experience it as ‘excitement’. It really is just a question of perception. (Read here more about that.)
2. Compliment your mind
The extra adrenaline is necessary for a magical performance, so embrace your feeling and express gratitude.
3. Feel grounded
Concentrate on your feet, imagine they have roots and breath through the them.
4. Be aware of your inner talk
Be compassionate and kind, as you would be towards any of your friends.
5. Smile :-)
Smile and repeat to yourself: I am capable. Even if you don't believe it, autosuggestion works!
6. Focus
Focus on the music, not on the 'how to’ (you don’t want to turn into Tin Man).
7. Conjure a protective bubble
You can easily project your sound out but are shielded from everything else. (For the Harry Potter fans: the spell is 'Expecto Patronum' ;-)
8. Magical Power
Imagine you can transform into your favourite musician. Act as if you were them: self-confident and capable. (Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how “power posing” might have an impact on our chances for success.)
9. Allow the music
Allow the music to come to life through you: you don't have to work hard to 'make it’ happen.
10. Concentrate
Concentrate on your sound and imagine it were a silver line: keep that line alive and going.
11. Tell your story
Tell your story, be in the moment and have faith: you might just surprise yourself.
12. Remind yourself
Remind yourself how lucky you are to be a musician and be surrounded by such grace and beauty
13. Go for it
Enjoy the ride! :-)