Using Singing to Conquer Anxiety

Anxiety can be a common feeling in the business world, especially for young professionals just starting out.

Whether it's presenting in front of colleagues, making cold calls, participating in meetings or networking at an industry event, the fear of being judged or rejected can be overwhelming. However, it's important to remember that everyone experiences anxiety to some degree and it can actually be a powerful tool for growth and success in business.

With no doubt anxiety can be especially debilitating when it prevents us from pursuing our passions and goals. This is my personal story growing up, as I always had a love for singing but was too afraid of being judged to pursue it. But, I learned to turn my anxiety into a strength and today, I want to share with you how I did it.

From a young age, I realised that my fear of being judged was holding me back. Instead of letting it defeat me, I decided to make it my strongest weapon. I began to see anxiety as my best friend, not my enemy. I knew that if I wanted to improve my singing skills, I had to step out of my comfort zone (which was sport at that time) and face my fears head-on.

The easiest way for me to do this was through performing on stage. I joined drama lessons, where I was asked to recite a poem. I thought I was good at it and recited it by heart, but my drama teacher wasn't impressed. He explained that drama wasn't for me and that I could fail. But, I didn't let that discourage me. I argued with him and asked for a second chance. He then threw his walking stick at me and said, "Now try to tell the poem with emotions, don't be perfect, show emotions." This was a turning point for me. I realised that it was okay to not be perfect and to show my emotions on stage. I began to master my acting skills and became more confident on stage by acting and singing.

The key to fighting anxiety on stage is to not show your fear. Instead, show your confidence. This is something I learned the hard way. I once forgot my speech on stage, but nobody noticed because I didn't show it. I improvised and played the role like I was supposed to. The audience never knows what to expect and that's okay. Make your weakness a strong feature and people will see your talent, not your fear or anxiety.

It's important to remember that you are unique and special in your own way, and you should never try to be someone else. Being yourself is the best way to live your life, and it's important to embrace your individuality. In today's world, it can be easy to get caught up in the pressure of trying to be perfect, but it's important to remember that there's no such thing as perfect.

Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, and it's important to accept and embrace them. You don't have to be like anyone else, you just have to be yourself. So, don't be afraid to be yourself, and don't let anyone else's expectations dictate who you are. Embrace your imperfections, they are what make you, you. Always be true to yourself, and the world will see the real you shining through.

Anxiety is a common feeling that can hold us back from achieving our goals, but it doesn't have to. By turning our weakness into a strength, we can overcome our fears and pursue our passions. I hope my personal story has shown you that it is possible to fight anxiety and come out victorious. Remember, don't show your fear, show your confidence. And most importantly, always keep shining :)