Hello Miss Jaymee!
How can i overcome a stagefright? This is my main problem right now. I am a teacher but struggling to speak in front. What would i do to overcome my fears?
Teacher E
Hello Eden! Finally! I found the perfect time to reply to this interesting question of yours. Firstly, thank you for reaching out and visiting my page. I really appreciate your support.
About stagefright, did you know that before becoming a TV game show host in the Philippines, I would freeze and buckle the first few times I auditioned for hosting? And even when I started doing events hosting professionally, I would experience major anxiety a few minutes before the show starts? It’s called performer’s anxiety. I’m sharing this to let you know that even the most confident looking people on camera or on stage, myself included, can still be intimidated speaking in front of people. We are just good at managing and hiding it.
What helped me a lot is constant practice over time. I kept hosting even the littlest birthday events or get-togethers. I also keep talking in front of the mirror or on my phone camera when I’m bored to get comfortable with speaking. The more I practiced and laughed at myself when I made a mistake, the less it became scarier.
Performance anxiety comes from our fear of making a mistake, looking silly or being judged. But if you learn how to do an internal monologue that says, “I’m here to speak because what I have to say will help my listeners and contribute to something good. I’m human and I will probably not sound as perfect as I want to but it’s okay because I’m doing this not for myself, but for a higher purpose which is to teach and serve others.”
Do a lot of breathing exercises as well a few minutes before speaking to keep yourself relaxed. The more nervous we are, the more tense we become so all the more we have to help our body and mind to be at a state of ease so that our thoughts can flow better. Make sure to also come prepared because it gives you more confidence to speak with the assurance that you know what you will be talking about.
And lastly, don’t expect that all your listeners in the crowd will be attentive and engaged. It doesn’t make you a bad speaker. It’s just a fact that we can’t please everybody but that shouldn’t frighten you from continuing to speak even if you see someone yawning or looking bored as you lecture. Again, remind yourself of your intention why you’re there. That is to teach, to share knowledge and wisdom and to guide your listeners.
You are doing your part and doing the best you can. So keep on and share what you have to share. As you keep speaking, it gets easier over time and it only gets better. And if you do experience some buckling, mispronunciation or complete freeze, just learn how to laugh at yourself, breath, then carry on!
At the end of the day, it won’t kill you. It’s only there to teach you to get better at it too and have a funny story to share and look back on one day. Good luck with everything! May you keep thriving as you conquer this fear. I’ve been there and was told I won’t have a career as a TV host because I sucked. But I did it anyway and proved the nay sayers wrong. I hope this inspires you and I wish you all the very best.
Rooting For You,
Jaymee 🙂
0 Comments