What Are You Focused On?

For more lessons on Overcoming Performance anxiety and being your best on stage, check out Doc Wallace’s Peak Performance Series.

Hi I’m Vi Wickam and this is another myTalentForge.com Quick Tip of the Week!

Focus on having fun on stage.

Now, you may think, “But it’s nerve-racking when I’m on stage!” Or whatever story you’ve told yourself about what the experience of being on stage is.

You’ve got some stories you’re telling yourself about what it’s like to be on stage that you’ve created in your brain.

I’ve been playing on stage now for probably 35 or 36 years. So you may think, “He’s really old!” as a result of that statement, but I was playing at ice cream socials at church when I was 3, 4, or 5 years old and it was always a fun experience because I was getting to play music with my dad and my grandpa.

And that was fun!

It was never something where I was putting on a performance for the people. Sure- I enjoyed their feedback, their energy, and their smiling, because the audience wants to support you.

But, it was a fun experience because I was having fun with my dad and my grandpa. And that was something I associated in my mind with fun.

If you can frame this as, “I’m going to have fun making music with my friends, then you’re not worried about the audience.

Because here’s what the secret is- if you’re having fun, the audience will be having fun. The audience enjoys it automatically because you’re communicating fun to them.

You’re having fun and they’re thinking, “Man, I wish I could be on stage having fun like them! That would be really hard for me, but they’re able to do it; they’re able to have so much fun! I’m instantly drawn in as an audience member to the fun that you’re having!”

So, you can view this as, “I get to have fun with my friends on stage.”

The audience will be drawn in automatically.

Now, if you don’t believe me, try it out! Just get on stage and goof! Goof off with your friends and have fun!

And you will not believe the audience response. It will totally change the way you interact with your audience.

Now, something else you might enjoy on myTalentForge.com, that’s along these lines is Dr. David Wallace has put together a set of Quick Performance Tips that are called The Peak Performance Series.

They’re about how to get the most out of yourself when you’re on stage and when you’re practicing… For just another thing to keep in mind.

Thank you so much for being here, this is another myTalentForge Quick Tip and I will see you soon!