Category Archives: Performing

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Have an Active Orientation to Life!

A theme that continually comes up in my coaching sessions with those who desire to move forward in their life, whether in dealing with a stressful performance situation, or in life experiences in general, is the hesitation to go after what they truly desire.

It is the difference between passively allowing fear and anticipation to guide your decision-making rather than having an active orientation to life.

In your art, in a performance situation or in significant relationships, are you a person who goes after what they want?

Do you say to the world, “This is what I want. I’m going to go for it.”

Children, before they ‘learn’ to be afraid or avoid anxiety-producing situations, will bounce back whenever they hit a wall or roadblock because that is what little kids do – until we teach them not to do it, until we knock that fearless perseverance out of them.

They just go for it.

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Are You Lying to Yourself?

There are few phrases that I hear in my practice as a Performance Coach that are as deadly as, “That’s just the way I am.”

Deadly as in creating a wall, or roadblock, to achieving the goals that are the most meaningful to you. It is a phrase that so many of my clients have tolerated in their life and which, if not challenged and overcome, becomes a belief as true in their thinking as the sun will surely go down tonight. If I have always believed it, then it must be true about myself.

Those who have experienced my style of coaching understand that when I hear such a phrase, I immediately challenge it – as those words cannot be allowed to linger for a moment in your thinking without more damage being caused.

This damage can be in the form of holding back when given an opportunity to move forward in your career (“Well, I would love to be considered for a promotion, yet if it involves giving more presentations, then I will have to decline because…That’s just the way I am, I cannot speak in front of an audience without anxiety”).

“I would love to start my own business, or create a new piece of unique art, or start the book I have always dreamed about but unfortunately I cannot, as I have never felt much confidence in my abilities, because that’s just the way I am.”

Do you avoid or say no or disregard an opportunity to take risks because you have always believed that you are not enough, that it is just the way that you are?

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New Online Home Study Course Available!

I am excited to share that I have opened up my new online home study course, The Fearless Speaker Mastery Program. The Program is a powerful and highly effective training course, including Video, Audio and PDF Material, for those who desire to overcome their fear of public speaking and can be taken in the comfort of your home or office.

During this Program, I provide the understanding and skills necessary to rid yourself of your speaking fears forever. If you, or anyone you know, struggles with getting in front of an audience, giving a business presentation, a formal speech or needs to promote their services, click on the image above to learn more about this powerful Program.

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Anxiety and the Story of You

 

In so many of my coaching sessions, the issue of clients knowing what they want always goes hand in hand with knowing who they are. This is especially true for those who struggle with fear and anxiety which holds them back from the life that they dream of.

Although you might be thinking, “Of course I know who I am!” the reality is that most people have created a ‘story’ about themselves, an ongoing ‘screenplay’ about who they are and what they are capable of.

For those who struggle with anxiety, the story is almost one of living in a world that is safe and free from risk-taking. In fact, it is impossible to achieve your absolute best in any area of your life unless you possess an effective and powerful answer to both questions of want you want and knowing who you are .


What could possibly stand in your way?

Look in the mirror and you will see your biggest enemy staring right back at you, telling you the story about why life is so dangerous, or how it seems like you have always failed, or how you are just not enough to become more successful.

The story you tell yourself often implies that maybe you don’t have what it takes to achieve your dreams.

On and on the story goes. A story many years in the making!

I can hear it now,

“Ladies and gentleman, here is the Story of a person who desired to become successful, who yearned and dreamed of accomplishing amazing things! Yet, a sad Story of never having enough money, or ideas or opportunities, of someone raised by critical parents and who lacked the confidence to overcome obstacles and who is trapped by fear after fear.”

Does this sound at all like your Story?

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Creativity in the Midst of Chaos

As I have spent the past couple of weeks admiring the amazing works of art of so many greats from Italy, France and Spain, I thought I would re-share a post I wrote years ago regarding a particular time in history of prolific creating. I hope that you enjoy it!

 

“You were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self,
to live out your purpose, and to do it fearlessly”
~ Steve Maraboli, Author

Recession … unemployment … climate change … general economic collapse … rapid population growth … polluted water … environmental disasters … instability, and anxiety … decline in the influence of the church.

Why, you wonder, am I trying to depress you with the current state of the world today? How can this possibly help me become bold in my life? I thought this blog was supposed to be a forward looking, positive guide to gaining freedom from fear.

The scenario that I describe above is, however, not an accounting of the world today, but, rather, a precise look at what was occurring in 13th century Europe!

What is remarkable is that it was during this time of chaos and dramatic change that one of the most amazing periods of achievement, creativity and cultural change in the history of the world occurred. The conditions I have described existed just prior to the period in history that we call the Renaissance.

It was during this period of instability that the first outrageous achievers of the Italian Renaissance lived. Rather than succumb to those who felt defeated and whose only goal in life was to just get through it all (to survive), these outrageous artists decided to be bold and fearless in the face of overwhelming odds.

Adventurous and risk-taking, artists such as da Vinci, Michelangelo, Giotto and Raphael set out with a daring spirit to create works of art that have never been equaled.