I regularly coach actors for auditions and when I ask them how it went more often than not I get an answer something like this, “It was good. But, I got nervous and it took me out of it. Then I screwed up my lines… I guess didn’t go very well.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the phrase, “If I could just stop my nerves I’d be a great actor.” Do your nerves get in the way of your acting and auditioning? Most actors would answer “yes” to that question.

Flow is the mental state of operation in which a person in an activity is fully immersed in energized focus with full involvement in the process of the activity. Your subjective perception of challenges and abilities are more important than you think. Belief in your skills will determine the outcome as much as your ability.

Call it stage fright, performance anxiety, talking terror, or podium panic; performing is one of the greatest fears. Experiencing excessive jumpiness, fidgeting, forgetfulness, self-consciousness and doubt can destroy the best performance and render useless, months of painstaking rehearsals.