I'm a singer.

I think I can safely say that because I love to sing, I get asked to sing, and I even get paid to sing.

Now, as to whether or not I am an outstanding singer is a matter of opinion. I believe I have ways to go before (or if) that can happen!

One aspect of the singing biz that thrills as well as terrifies me are auditions. I dread them like I'd dread going to the dentist for a root canal. Yet, if I want to get roles, I have to audition.

I absolutely could not pass up a recent opportunity to audition for an opera company. I was required to sing two arias, both in different languages. I had to prepare my resume and meet with the company director, administrator, and choir master.

To calm my nerves I had written out a list of positive affirmations and read them everyday a week prior to the audition.

I wrote out one-liners like:

You love to sing
You are confident
You are calm
You are an excellent singer
You will sing with power and beauty
You will have fun
You are God's child; you have nothing to fear!

After a while, these affirmations slowly sink into the subconscious, and like a self-fulling prophecy, you start to believe them, start to live them. They really did help to keep the paralyzing jitters at bay!

Now, why would I bring this up besides it being a bit of juicy news? I think this exercise can apply to any aspect of our lives that we feel is a significant challenge, yet definitely worth the effort. Things like, preparing for a marathon or just getting in better shape. Maybe even conquering a sugar addiction.

There's probably a dream/goal that all of us have that looks a bit daunting, so why not give the positive affirmations exercise a try? It sure isn't going to hurt, right? Write a list of positive statements that motivate you and help you feel confident. I wrote mine on note cards and kept them with the arias I was practicing. I read them at work, I read them before practicing, I read them before my audition. I made sure I didn't spill them all over the floor where prying eyes could read them (oh, how embarrassing!) and thus cancel out all the good they've done me!

Now it takes more than just positive affirmations to achieve a goal (I did practice my songs... over and over and over), but they CAN help boost confidence and dispel jitters.

So, I survived the audition, and I even left feeling pretty good about it.  The next challenge is for me to put it out of my mind and try to wait patiently for the outcome!

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Categories:

Goals, Life, Motivation

Tags:

positive affirmations, stage fright