Most people intuitively assume that the best way to address performance anxiety is to calm down, but research suggests that this may actually result in worse performances (?!).
A 2013 paper describes three studies in different performance domains that give us a counterintuitive - and more effective - way to respond to performance anxiety.
Why Telling Yourself to “Calm Down” Backstage May Be Counterproductive
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Have you ever wondered why it is exactly that things often sound better at home than they do on stage?
If you’ve been confused (and frustrated) by the inconsistency of your performances, I put together a free 18-question quiz called the Mental Skills Audit, which will help you pinpoint your mental strengths and weaknesses and figure out what to tweak in your preparation.
It’s 100% free, takes only 4 minutes, and you’ll get a downloadable PDF with a personalized breakdown of where you stand in six key mental skill areas. You'll also get Pressure Proof, a 7-day email course where you'll learn specific practice strategies designed to help shrink the gap between practice and performance and play your best when it matters most.
Take the quiz here: bulletproofmusician.com/msa