10 top tips to feel confident when performing

Pioneer (our adventure and international youth panel) are helping us plan Big Gig.

From suggesting acts to designing merchandise, Pioneer are busy behind the scenes helping bring Big Gig to life. To get ready for the event, they’re writing a series of blogs to help you to feel confident performing, try some disco-themed crafts and host your own mini gig.

Whether you’re taking to the stage, speaking in front of your unit or doing an interest badge, Pioneer members have put together their top tips in this blog to help you feel more confident. 

This blog was written by Xanthe, Rebecca, Sophie, Libby, Amelia and Sophie from Pioneer. 

Top 10 tips to feel confident when performing

One way you could celebrate Big Gig coming back is by hosting local talent shows or performances. There’s lots of existing ones, such as local Gang Shows or The National Scout and Guide Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band. These are a great opportunity to develop your skills and have fun at the same time!  

A big part of performing is confidence. We know that can be one of the hardest parts, even for people who perform regularly. It’s completely normal to feel nervous before going on stage. 

That's why we’ve put together a few tips to help you feel more confident when performing, so you deliver your best performance.

If you’re working towards interest badges (such as Performing for Brownies or Entertainer for Guides) or getting ready to speak in front of your unit about something you’re passionate about, these tips will help you feel more prepared and ready to sparkle! 

1. Practice makes progress: practising the skills you plan to perform will always make them better, so there’s nothing to lose. A big factor in appearing more confident is to feel confident in yourself, so make sure you’re well prepared for your big moment and have rehearsed. A good way to do this is to perform in front of a mirror or record yourself, so you can make your next go even better. 
2. It’s okay to make mistakes: don't panic if you do make a mistake, as everyone does. An audience probably won’t notice or remember as long as you pick yourself up, brush yourself off and keep going, rather than stopping halfway through. A key part in confidence is resilience and any audience will admire you for finishing your performance, even if it wasn’t perfect. 
3. Breathe: this sounds obvious, but breathing is a brilliant way to calm your nerves. A few breathing exercises (like box breathing) before you go on stage will keep you calm and help reduce any nerves. The hard bit about performing is having the courage to start, so once you’ve done that, you’re already most of the way there. 
4. Fake it ‘til you make it: acting confidently will make you feel more confident, so if you need to, just pretend. Try standing tall and proud, with a good posture, smiling, making eye contact with the audience, lifting your chin and speaking slowly. This'll make you look (and then feel) more confident, both while you’re performing this time and the next time you have an opportunity to perform. 
5. Get motivated: getting motivated before a performance can help improve confidence by creating a positive and focused mindset. My favourite way to do this is singing the campfire song ‘Alive, alert, awake, enthusiastic!’, getting faster each time. This wakes me up and gets me into the right headspace for the performance while also making me laugh. I also like doing quick stretches, warmups or giving myself positive reminders that I'm prepared.  
6. Focus on expression, not perfection: performing confidently isn't about doing everything perfectly - it's about communicating to the audience through your art. As you perform, try thinking about the story you’re telling or the mood you’re creating. You could write notes or prompts on your score if you're playing music, or create a story in your mind while rehearsing. Shifting your attention towards expression can help calm your nerves and make your performance feel more genuine. 
7. Use positive self-talk: bigging yourself up will immediately make you feel more confident. Try telling yourself things like ‘I’ve got this’ or ‘All the hard work I’ve put in will pay off’ to create a positive mindset and calm your nerves.
8. Practise performing for others: practising in front of others and asking them for constructive feedback might seem intimidating, but it can help you get used to the feeling of being on stage. Try performing in front of some trusted friends, family members or even teddy bears. I always find a small audience scarier than a big one, so if you can perform for friends and family, you’ll be okay in front of lots of people. 
9. Visualise success: simply imagining yourself performing brilliantly can turn this into a reality. You could do this by creating vision boards or picturing yourself in front on an audience. 
10. Enjoy the moment: finally, enjoy your performance. It’s good to be a little nervous as it shows you care. You’ve put in so much hard work to get to this moment, so be proud of yourself no matter what happens!