If you’ve ever been scared to speak in front of a crowd, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Even the pros started somewhere, and trust us, they’ve had their fair share of shaky hands and awkward pauses. Here are five tips to get rid of stage fright:
#1 Breathe Deep: Five minutes of deep breathing before showtime is your secret weapon. Picture your fantastic performance, hear those laughs, and feel the positive vibes. It’s like a comedy meditation that’ll calm the adrenaline and set the stage for your hilarious triumph.
#2 Skip The Booze: While alcohol, pot and other drugs might get you to relax, it often comes at a cost of slurring your words and not thinking as fast as the audience. We’ve found that while a comedian might have more fun on stage after a drink or two, the audience doesn’t. And if you want this to be your job, the job is for the audience to have fun.
#3 Turn Nervous Energy Into Comedy Magic: Being nervous in and of itself isn’t bad, it’s what you do with the nervousness.
Tina Fey said it best, “I tell myself I’m not nervous, I’m just excited. And sometimes, right before SNL goes on the air, I get so excited I want to pee my pants.” So reframe those nerves into excitement!
Or follow this ESPN article quoting Tiger Woods, “The day I’m not nervous is the day I quit… Of course, I’ll be nervous. That’s the greatest thing about it, just to feel that rush.” If the greatest golfer still gets nervous (and he doesn’t even have to speak!), it’s okay if you feel it too.
#4 The Inner Game of Comedy: Read “The Inner Game of Tennis.” This succinct yet brilliant book isn’t just about tennis; it’s a life-changer. Turn off that overthinking mind, trust your gut, and get into the zone. It’s your backstage pass to confidence, both on stage and off.
#5 Embrace the Reps: There’s no real shortcut, getting over stage fright all about practice. The more you hit the stage, the less nerves will bug you. Relish the silence and soon you’ll own that mic like a stand-up rockstar.
In conclusion, accept that you’re going to have some nerves. Breathe deep, skip the booze, remind yourself that it’s natural and that you’ve gotten through it before (unless it’s your first time on stage) and when that adrenaline hits, reframe it as excitement.