Beginning to Re-Build and Maintain a Strong, Positive Self-Esteem

          Many people fear auditioning because it requires competition with other performers, when in fact, it is their own insecurities they must compete against.  If a person’s self-esteem is not high enough to successfully carry them over the ‘wall’ of fears, expectations, and perceived imperfections they have, there is no amount of preparation, vocal lessons, or choreography that will set things right.  The most important first step toward avoiding this situation, toward building the guarantee of success in auditions and life, is strengthening self-esteem to the point that it allows a person to realize his/her inner potential and brings success, no matter the result. 

            To achieve a positive result, you must first be able to determine what you are working with.  If at all possible, don’t try to do this alone.  If you can only work with one other person, work with your voice teacher, contact me through my website (www.SingitForward.net), or work with your psychologist.  The goal is to create a “baseline” of information.  What that means is looking at where you are, what you are presently feeling, your present strengths and weaknesses, and the like.  This is incredibly important, so that you are able to measure progress later on.

            To create this baseline, it is necessary for an individual to honestly and candidly record a self-perception.  Of equal importance is the need for these performers to ask themselves detailed and specific questions, which will allow for a narrowing, focus, and specificity of existing traits and information. What is an honest and forthright evaluation of personal self-appraisal?  This does not mean the account is in comparison to anyone or anything; this is an assessment of appearance, ability, personality, talent, musical skills, and leadership qualities.  What would be the candid and genuine expectations should an audition occur today?  Which personal characteristics would work for benefit or for detriment?  Are there circumstances, which are more or less comfortable?  Do nerves/fears/outward attitude play into success at an audition?  Are these controllable?  Creating a questionnaire containing these and other related inquiries, would effectively build a baseline with which the participant, as well as the leader, could measure all later growth.

            This program works best in a small group setting but if you do it with, at least, one other person, you need to tell your “listener”, at least, ONE positive attribute about yourself.  At the same time, that listener should make a note about, at least, one positive attribute he or she SEES about you.  You can probably see how it would be more beneficial to have these comments from a larger group of people than simply one but even having one other person’s opinion, is helpful.  It would also be helpful to video this first meeting, as this also creates a baseline of your beginning demeanor.  It is of tantamount importance that you spend some time WRITING OUT how you feel about yourself.   A very important component for building self-esteem, self-image, and self-worth, is fully understanding how these present in one’s personality.   Especially in the arena of performance, high self-esteem or that individual’s perception of his/her ability/talent is extremely important.  It is the foundation upon which every other aspect of the audition process is built.  If the foundation is weak, the structure will collapse easily.  Therefore, building and maintaining a healthy, positive perception of oneself, is tantamount to any and all other components.  Please let me know in the comments, any questions or further needs you have.  Again, please let me know what else you would like me to blog about.  Thanks to all of you!  This is, hopefully obviously, just the first blog submission in a much longer series on re-building and maintaining a strong, positive self-esteem.  There will be many more posts following!