The Power of Fear: Paralysis or Performance?

Every so often you should do something that scares you 😈 Fear is such a powerful thing that will so often stop people from following their dreams or trying something out that they really want to try.

I see this SO often with singing: the pursuit of perfection limits the pursuit of trying.

I spend my days working with amazing and hardworking vocalists of all levels:
💫 those at the beginning of their journey learning to pitch, learning rhythm or trying basic techniques, often in groups
🎀 those who are improving technique or maintaining stamina and vocal health (school, college, uni, semi pro and pro performers)
✨️ the teachers who coach those singers exploring CPD and voice research
🌟 and those singers and speakers who need to step into their confidence and shine their bright light

Because the truth is, so many of them do what they do so well, but are afraid to take that final step onto the stage, paralyzing their progress.

Recently, I experienced my own 'wanting to do well' anxiety in a slightly different way to being on a stage. This was by teaming up with 7 of the fittest (and equally crazy) people I know to carry a 50kg beer barrel up a hill and back down again for fun 🤪

The race is called 'The Kinder Barrel Race' which starts and finishes in Edale in the Peak District.

I was afraid of letting the team down by being too slow, or too weak, or basically totally incapable of even getting around the 4 mile course... and so I nearly didn't press send on the message to say I would like to join in. But I did. And spent the entire lead up to race day panicking 🤣🤣🤣

Anyway as it turns out, we had the best fun. I definitely was not the fastest or the strongest (and may well in fact have been the weakest and slowest 🙃🤔🐌) But it was a huge lesson for me in letting go of perfection and stepping INTO fear. I consider that sometimes it is the pursuit of perfection, or a result of comparison

It was also bloody brilliant to be surrounded by 7 people who are incredibly strong and fit and generally amazing humans 💪 Which leads me neatly to my next point...

“Surround yourself with people who are better than you, stronger than you, more talented than you, smarter than you: all the people who inspire you to do more and be more”

We only get so many trips around the sun so write that bucket list of stuff that scares you but that you'd love to try... and then go try it.

To conclude, think about who can you surround yourself with who will help or inspire you to go and do that thing? You never really need to do it alone.

Step into fear. You might surprise yourself 💛

(I defo surprised myself at the KB Race - but feel both proud and accomplished 🫶)

#team #kinderbarrelrace #fear #strength #domore #scareyourself #pushyourself