We've all been there. There has been a time in all of our lives when we have had to stand up in front of other people - our peers? or maybe people we don't even know - and give some form of a performance, be it an actual performance on a stage, a speech or a presentation. Most adult jobs require presenting at some point, whether you are presenting yourself to a potential boss, presenting your idea to your management team, or teaching a class.
There is nothing more daunting.
I don't care how confident you say you are, everybody gets nervous before standing up in front of hundreds of people and putting yourself in such a vulnerable place. We all get butterflies. We all want to curl up and just blank out the world for just a little while. Now, chances are your nerves are simply put down to an unusual experience outside of your comfort zone.
But what if outside your comfort zone could become INSIDE your comfort zone? What if there was a way to step away from the nerves and the butterflies and the oh-my-gosh-I-just-want-to-run-away mentality?
There is.
Scientists have literally proved that exposure to the performing arts at some point in your life will award you just that little bit of edge when it comes to giving performances as an adult. A weekly session where you can come along, play at being dramatic, learn new skills and just be in a place where you can feel comfortable to be silly with your friends and push your own boundaries - now wouldn't that do wonders in later life? Now, I'm not saying that attending a youth theatre would automatically make you the next Prime Minister, but at least it will help you feel that anything is possible, right?
Push your own boundaries. Take that leap of faith. Have a go at being a little bit silly and more than a bit over-dramatic just once a week.
What bad could it do?