Anticipatory anxiety is the anxiety one feels before a performance, a speech, or some other task that is to be undertaken. Some also call this performance anxiety although this term is usually reserved for the anxiety felt "during" the task in question. What is the purpose of feeling anticipatory anxiety? Well if you look at it closely you might "think" that it is supposed to prepare you for the task at hand, so that, You will be alert, aware, focused, on task, and performing at your best, so that, You will feel confident and perform the task well, so that, You will succeed, so that, You will feel accomplished, happy, joyful, relieved, and good about yourself. In other words you might believe unconsciously that: (A) Anticipatory anxiety makes you feel accomplished, happy, joyful, relieved, and good about yourself, correct? If you however "feel" what it feels like to be caught "in" the anticipatory anxiety itself I think you will find that it makes you feel: 1. Anxious 2. Vulnerable 3. Tense 4. Out of control 5. Perhaps frustrated 6. Unfocused 7. With poor concentration 8. That your judgment and performance are impaired 9. Angry with yourself because you can't seem to relax In other words it makes you feel horrible, horrible about yourself and it undermines your success. So you see Statement (A) above is False. Right now, I would like you to take a moment and notice how you feel inside. If you are feeling lighter, a sense of relief, calmer, happier, more energized, more buoyant or any other positive feeling then you have just experienced a release of this anticipatory anxiety deep from within your body. If you know what I'm talking about then you may wish to hear two special messages I've posted at the web link below that will facilitate your personal growth in a big way. |
