Facing Fear: My Audition

Job interviews, going to parties with a new group of people, auditions, all of these require your ability to handle anxiety. Performance anxiety or anticipatory anxiety are two types of anxiety that come into play here.

Performance anxiety is, of course, having to do something, like a policeman I knew who was a dart throwing champion. He had won an incredible number of awards and I never knew he was a champion until he asked my help one day. We were acquaintances through some work we both did and so he felt comfortable enough to tell me his problem. Each time he stepped up to the line to throw his dart, he froze. What could he do? Well, sports psychology isn't my area of specialization, but I did know of a well-known psychologist close by and I gave him a call. I asked if he'd help my friend with his sports performance anxiety. He did and they used a combination of relaxation and imagery to overcome it.

Anticipatory anxiety usually comes to play when you have been through something rather unpleasant, such as a painful dental extraction or other procedure or rather difficult exam for a promotion or entrance into a school. You conjure up the anxiety you felt and it can cripple you when you most need all your abilities. It can also stop you from getting what you need.

Last night, I decided to do something I've never done before; audition for a commercial. The reason I decided to go was that I believed in the topic the commercials would address and they wanted "people with unusual professions." How unusual is psychology? Well, I don't think many psychologists are running out to auditions even in this age of managed care.

I found myself ("You'll be the last interview of the day.") seated with three others in a large room with a tin ceiling in a building with no elevator. Well, I told myself, you believe in this and this is what you have to do. One of the people waiting for an interview had spiked blond and red hair, coal black circles around her eyes and wore an outfit that looked like something out of a music video. The other two were just plain folks.

Did I feel anxious? Not at that moment, but I had some pangs during the day and I managed to push them away by telling myself that I was doing this by my own free will, I would have fun doing it (I've actually enjoyed taking tests for school entrance) and it would be over in an hour. So, I filled out the forms, watched the people and waited until everyone else had gone down the corridor, remained for five minutes and been shown the door. "You're next," the young woman said.

I was led down the corridor, shown into a brightly lit room and asked to sit in a small chair against a blank wall. I saw the video camera aimed at me from an angle to my right. The interviewers were delightful and we talked on and on. I guess I took about a half-hour and then it was done. I felt really good. It didn't matter whether I got to be in the commercial or not because I found it to be fun to talk about this subject. They seemed to like it too because they laughed and smiled and never once indicated it was time for me to go.

So, it worked out well either way and my attitude played a big part in it. They saw it and I felt it. It was an attitude of calm and ease and that's what you need to aim for next time you have an exam, an interview or whatever. Oh, one last thing. I did Google them beforehand, so I knew a lot about them. Always a good idea to get as much information as you can on whatever faces you.

Related Links: Fighting Fear, Trump Stress With Your Thoughts