What are some quick confidence boosters to use right before taking the stage?

Power Poses: Adopting confident body language like standing tall with hands on hips. Positive Affirmations: Repeat affirmations like "I am capable and prepared" to boost self-belief. Visualization: Imagine delivering a successful performance, visualizing applause and positive feedback. Deep Breathing: Take deep breaths to calm nerves and center yourself. Review Past Successes: Reflect on past accomplishments to remind yourself of your capabilities. Smile: Smiling can trick the brain into feeling more positive and confident. Focus on Audience: Shift focus from self to the audience, aiming to connect and engage with them. Stretching: Gentle stretching can release tension and increase blood flow, promoting relaxation and confidence.

Controlled breathing is a proven technique for calming the mind and body. Taking deep, slow breaths lowers your heart rate and relaxes your muscles. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold briefly, then exhale slowly through your mouth to reduce anxiety and increase oxygen flow to your brain. This method sharpens your focus and enhances cognitive function. Use deep breathing to find inner calm amidst the backstage chaos. Techniques like diaphragmatic breathing, box breathing, and alternate nostril breathing lower your heart rate and relax your muscles. James Nestor's, Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art is a wonderful book packed up by the science of breathing.

Positive visualization is not just a mental exercise; it's a powerful tool for shaping your reality. Positive visualisation, championed by Bob Proctor, harnesses the power of the mind by vividly imagining successful outcomes. This mental rehearsal aligns with Maslow’s concept of self-actualization, helping individuals realize their fullest potential. Neuroscience shows that the brain processes these visualizations like real experiences, enhancing performance and confidence. The fun fact is the brain doesn't differentiate between reality and imagination. Therefore, by visualizing goals as already achieved, we prime our subconscious for success.

Affirmation mantras are powerful tools for reshaping your mental landscape, reinforcing self-belief and counteracting negativity. Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius survived his reign by writing affirmations, helping him maintain resilience and focus. Modern author Ryan Holiday emphasizes the importance of such practices in his works on Stoicism. Neuroplasticity explains how the brain rewires itself based on repetitive thought patterns, embedding these positive affirmations. Regular use of mantras can transform potential into reality by shifting your inner dialogue towards empowerment. There is enough scientific evidence to support the affirmation effect backed by positive psychology.

A quick physical warm-up can be a game-changer for your performance. Stretching your limbs and rolling your shoulders increases blood flow, dissipating nervous energy (and no not shaking legs due to anxiety). It not only calms your nerves but also primes your body for effective voice projection and expressive gestures. A harmonious connection is created between your mind and body, enhancing overall stage presence. By integrating a quick warm-up, you ensure you’re fully prepared to engage and captivate your audience when you go on stage.