This one comes up a lot, and not surprisingly because it is the most common fear of all. It is also easy to get rid of with hypnosis, so nobody needs to be struggling with it - but most people don’t know that, do they?
Performance Anxiety: All Eyes are Upon Me!
Driving test nerves, stage fright, anxiousness about giving presentations or speeches – they’re all the same thing. Exam or job interview stress, or auditioning nerves: the brain picks up the rising tension and kicks off the “flight or fight” system – as psychologists call it – to force you to avoid or quite literally run away from the “danger”.
The perceived “danger” is that we might get it wrong, dry up or be judged harshly, and it goes back to earlier experiences of being judged harshly or getting things wrong, some of which you may remember consciously, and some of which you will not. But the Subconscious never forgets!
No Need to be Afraid!
Later in life, opportunities might come up for promotion, a better job, a dream role in a play or a movie and the logical part of the mind wants to go for it but the Subconscious only sees it as a hazard, a potential disaster, and creates so much anxiety in the body that you may not be able to do it at all. That was the case for Sharon, when new work responsibilities required talks and presentations in front of people whose opinion mattered in her line of work, so we did a session at Central Hypnotherapy, but her conscious mind was still expecting trouble in the run up to the first big test of the results:
“Hi Chris, just wanted to say thanks for the session last night. I’ve just had an email from the hospital to say that the presentation will be in front of an audience of HR colleagues and union reps, managers and clinicians! I started to have a wobble but still feel excited!”
I assured her that this was quite common and that she would be fine on the day. The conscious mind doesn’t expect the problem to have gone after just one session so it is anticipating trouble but once the Subconscious has got the message it will not create the anxiety on the day. And so it proved when we got the real feedback later:
“Hi Chris,
“First hurdle over – did a blinding presentation today and didn’t even use notes! Thank you for your help last week! Kind regards, Sharon.”
If you would like to be rid of any kind of performance anxiety just call me - Chris - on 0161-474 8120 now or call/text any time on 07748 838 644 for more info or to book a session. Problem gone!
Consultant Hypnotherapist Chris Holmes is Director of Central Hypnotherapy and has been helping the people of Stockport, Cheshire, Manchester and Tameside U.K. to overcome their fears and develop new professional skills since August 2000.
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