Elvis had stage freight. Yet he didn’t let the fear hold him back.
We have all emotionally experienced fear at some point in our life. Fear can be so powerful that it destroys careers, relationships, and businesses. Yet, fear is simply derived from the unknown. It is a notion of uncertainty at all levels of predictability and control of future outcomes. Yet why do some folks have an abundance of confidence even with an unknown outcome?
MIT researcher and neuroscience professor, Earl Miller, discovered that our brains cannot focus on more than one concept at a time. Basically we can increase our brainpower when multitasking stops. When you apply that to fear – an actual feeling or emotion – it is a conscious thought. Since the brain does one thing at a time, taking action actually helps to diminish the conscious fear.
How many people do you know are fearful or afraid of public speaking? Fear truly can make you feel frozen and paralyzed. Yet slowly as you practice and take action, you are signaling to the brain that you can overcome fear.
The application of Miller’s research points to commitment. Commitment is the action you take and consciously decide upon as you navigate your moves. Commitments are not preferences or decisions. They are much deeper and rooted in motivation. This is where nothing can hold you back, once you put your mind towards a goal. The notion of “Yes, I can!” becomes mentally powerful to allow you to physically attain a goal. Commitment leads to confidence. Confidence leads to success. The good news is that fear-based thinking and habits can be neutralized when you take action. Even better news, when you commit (especially to something you love and adore), you don’t really need the motivation.
Empower yourself. Get on the stage and put your best foot forward.