I'm a singer.
I think I can safely say that because I love to sing, I get asked to sing, and I even get paid to sing.
Now, as to whether or not I am an outstanding singer is a matter of opinion. I believe I have ways to go before (or if) that can happen!
One aspect of the singing biz that thrills as well as terrifies me are auditions. I dread them like I'd dread going to the dentist for a root canal. Yet, if I want to get roles, I have to audition.
I absolutely could not pass up a recent opportunity to audition for an opera company. I was required to sing two arias, both in different languages. I had to prepare my resume and meet with the company director, administrator, and choir master.
To calm my nerves I had written out a list of positive affirmations and read them everyday a week prior to the audition.
I wrote out one-liners like:
You love to sing
You are confident
You are calm
You are an excellent singer
You will sing with power and beauty
You will have fun
You are God's child; you have nothing to fear!
After a while, these affirmations slowly sink into the subconscious, and like a self-fulling prophecy, you start to believe them, start to live them. They really did help to keep the paralyzing jitters at bay!
Now, why would I bring this up besides it being a bit of juicy news? I think this exercise can apply to any aspect of our lives that we feel is a significant challenge, yet definitely worth the effort. Things like, preparing for a marathon or just getting in better shape. Maybe even conquering a sugar addiction.
There's probably a dream/goal that all of us have that looks a bit daunting, so why not give the positive affirmations exercise a try? It sure isn't going to hurt, right? Write a list of positive statements that motivate you and help you feel confident. I wrote mine on note cards and kept them with the arias I was practicing. I read them at work, I read them before practicing, I read them before my audition. I made sure I didn't spill them all over the floor where prying eyes could read them (oh, how embarrassing!) and thus cancel out all the good they've done me!
Now it takes more than just positive affirmations to achieve a goal (I did practice my songs... over and over and over), but they CAN help boost confidence and dispel jitters.
So, I survived the audition, and I even left feeling pretty good about it. The next challenge is for me to put it out of my mind and try to wait patiently for the outcome!
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6 comments ↓
Oooh! Good for you for surviving the audition! The Bag Lady was once a singer, too. She did (amateur) musical theatre, not opera. The audition jitters are the same, though!
When will you hear? Crossing my fingers for you (and my toes…and my legs…oh, wait, maybe that’s ’cause I need to go to the bathroom…yup…see ya!)
Those positive affirmations are REALLY handy- we used them a lot when I was in drama class (and they totally do work wonders when applied to any aspect of your life).
And thats great that you sing and got to audition! Which opera is it for? I unfortunately have never been to the opera. I go to the theater on a regular basis but not the opera yet… but it looks so amazing!
Bag Lady,
You never cease to make me smile.
Yes, I think it’s very cool that you were a singer too.
Standard time to hear back is around 2 weeks or so.
Sagan,
Opera is one of those things that just isn’t as mainstream as say Broadway musicals. I think it intimates some folks, especially since many operas are in languages other than English. It takes a bit of understanding before truly appreciating them.
you know me—Im all about the VISUALIZING you getting the gig.
please to begin visualizing as well!
Thanks, MizFit.
Great job, Susan!
It’s easy to put in the work and spend a lot of time fretting about it. Lord knows I do! Doing positive affirmations is hard work, but it sounds like it paid off. 
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