Your first thought might be, well, nothing. But it turns out that there are quite a few areas of similarity. Four mentees from around the country taking part in confidence and presence groups came together with one of our national mentors to understand how the actors and stage managers of We Will Rock You overcome confidence issues, self-belief, imposter syndrome and stage fright.
After an afternoon of watching the performance both mentees, stage managers and one of the stars of the show came together in the intimate setting of the reception area to the Royal Box at the London Coliseum to share experiences and thoughts. It was acknowledged that this was a safe space and the discussion had moments which were emotionally charged with real confidences shared.
Emily, one of the mentees, said “It was incredible. The women in our group were wonderful and also the amazing women we met at the theatre were so inspiring”.
The following advice and tips were gathered together from the session which we hope will be useful to others.
- Sometimes giving someone yourself “+ an added sprinkle” to impress them is counterproductive, because you’re never going to be able to meet that standard every day and you could end up putting an unrealistic pressure on yourself.
- On more difficult days, just focus on the one task in front of you – direct all of your energy at that, then think about what comes next after.
- Self-belief: If you’ve done everything you can to prepare for a job, believe that you are going to get it, and if you don’t, it’s due to circumstances out of your control anyway (e.g., the successful applicant was already known to the recruiting manager), it’s not on you.
- The person that knocked your confidence and didn’t believe that you could achieve what you wanted – that’s just their opinion and its just at that point in time. They are entitled to have their opinion, but it doesn’t have to be your opinion or to shape how you feel. Acknowledge it and move on.
- If you’re not feeling confident and you can’t see how you might, consider approaching it as a part you are playing. You can still be you, that’s still enough and great. But when you need a little more or it seems a little overwhelming, then you can perform the task as your character/persona.
- Good support isn’t necessarily someone who can provide solutions or long-term goals – it can be someone who listens and finds out what you need at that moment. Find that person for you – it may be your line manager or your mentor, but it could be a colleague or a friend.
- A problem or a situation can be overwhelming, but you don’t need to address or solve it all at once. What do you need today? What can help you through it bit by bit.
Top tips:
- Zoe: Be open about your feelings or anxiety with those around you – it makes it much easier to acknowledge when it happens in future and can even allow you to have a bit of a joke about it.
- Jenny: It’s valid and it’s allowed.
- Sarah: Talk – just saying your thoughts aloud and externalising them lifts a huge weight, and often encourages others to open up about similar things.
- Situations and challenges are best managed in small steps. You can’t eat an elephant whole, just tiny piece by tiny piece (no actual elephants were harmed).
- Go hard, stay hard. Have purpose, remember that purpose, stick with it. Have faith in yourself.
And a final comment from Amy, one of our mentees, on her experience. She said, “It really was an amazing opportunity and super insightful and inspiring to talk to Jenny, Sarah and Zoe”.
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