Overcoming Stage Fright In Everyday Life [Hardcover]

Joyce Ashley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 7, 1996

T his book is for all people who dread speaking in public--the lawyer too anxiety-ridden to plead his case, the young professional afraid to present her project, the salesperson who has to take a drink before making a sales pitch. It is about performance anxiety, which affects millions of people in business, professional, and personal situations. Because of their overwhelming fear at even the prospect of being the center of attention, these people are forced into choices that seriously limit their social lives, careers, and the development of their talents.

As an outgrowth of her earlier training as an actress and her own struggle with this problem, Jungian analyst Joyce Ashley has developed a method for identifying the roots of performance anxiety and the psychological factors that continue to fuel it. Using a combination of acting and psychoanalytic techniques, she teaches people to do battle with their inner saboteurs.

In Part I, Ashley takes us step-by-step through the experiences of two participants in her eight-week workshop. Using actual dialogues, we follow each one's encounters with inner adversaries and witness their newly gained insights and growing freedom from fear.

In Part II, Ashley adapts her highly successful workshop program for the reader. She explains in detail how to do her exercises, and supports each reader's individual journey toward confrontation with self-sabotage.
Unlike other books that give advice on how to deal with performance anxiety, Ashley's is the first to offer a reliable, easily learned technique that empowers readers to overcome their fear.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

T his book is for all people who dread speaking in public--the lawyer too anxiety-ridden to plead his case, the young professional afraid to present her project, the salesperson who has to take a drink before making a sales pitch. It is about performance anxiety, which affects millions of people in business, professional, and personal situations. Because of their overwhelming fear at even the prospect of being the center of attention, these people are forced into choices that seriously limit their social lives, careers, and the development of their talents.

As an outgrowth of her earlier training as an actress and her own struggle with this problem, Jungian analyst Joyce Ashley has developed a method for identifying the roots of performance anxiety and the psychological factors that continue to fuel it. Using a combination of acting and psychoanalytic techniques, she teaches people to do battle with their inner saboteurs.

In Part I, Ashley takes us step-by-step through the experiences of two participants in her eight-week workshop. Using actual dialogues, we follow each one's encounters with inner adversaries and witness their newly gained insights and growing freedom from fear.

In Part II, Ashley adapts her highly successful workshop program for the reader. She explains in detail how to do her exercises, and supports each reader's individual journey toward confrontation with self-sabotage.
Unlike other books that give advice on how to deal with performance anxiety, Ashley's is the first to offer a reliable, easily learned technique that empowers readers to overcome their fear.

About the Author

Joyce Ashley is a Jungian analyst who specializes in performance anxiety. In addition to her analytic practice, she conducts workshops on Overcoming Stage Fright in Everyday Life at the New York Open Center and in Jungian centers across the country.  

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Clarkson Potter; 1st edition (May 7, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 051770465X
• ISBN-13: 978-0517704653
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #992,705 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A life changing book, November 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Overcoming Stage Fright In Everyday Life (Hardcover)

I have had a SEVERE fear of public speaking for most of my life (started in teens, persisted into 40's). When I say, "severe," I mean a kind of panic where the possibility of having to speak to people would cause me to bolt out of the room (I'd make an excuse afterwards). Actually, I dreaded any kind of public attention at all (e.g., walking up the podium to accept a diploma). Well, things kind of came to a head this past year with my career (mid-level executive at Fortune 500 company). Somehow, I've avoided having to speak much on my way up (I'm a CPA and have gotten by with technical skills)--but became aware that my extraordinary fear was completely preventing me from rising any higher in my organization.

So, I tried every "cure" available (rational emotive therapy; flooding; Callahan techniques and EFT; EMDR; in vivo sensitizaton; etc.). Nothing worked---until I bought this book and did the therapy contained therein.

Make no mistake about it: it's hard work. As a matter of fact, I had to work through all the exercises twice until I found my "cure." It's emotional, draining, difficult work, but effective, effective, effective. Yet, the exercises are life altering. They are unlike typical therapy. They tap into a deep part of you that terrorizes you and sustains the fear and panic. Doing the exercises neutralizes the fear. The release is cathartic and palpable.

The proof? I did my second go-around with the exercises during the past month and successfully completed a solo two hour presentation (with Q&A) to twenty top executives at the Marriott today. I handled the presentation like a seasoned pro. A miracle? Yes. Why? Because I was so petrified at the prospect of simply having to introduce myself to the same group of executives last year that I faked coming down with the flu and left the meeting!

So, in conclusion, if you're tired of "quick fixes" that don't work and are ready to do some REAL work to REALLY conquer your social fears, BUY this book and do the exercises religiously. Remember that my fears were severe--so severe that just having my name called for attendance in college classes used to put me in a panic.

Good luck on your journey...

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Overcoming Stage Fright in Everyday Life, January 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Overcoming Stage Fright in Everyday Life (Paperback)

Although I came to this book with the hope of overcoming my anxiety while performing piano recitals, I benefitted beyond my expectation. I am a new student to piano but in my 40s, so the prospect of sounding like the student I am, was frightening. As I read the book, I became more and more aware that my anxiety was much less than the type of stage fright addressed by the author; a very useful insight, indeed. As I proceeded through the rest of the book I had an epiphany not related to stage fright, yet extremely useful. Therefore, I recommend reading this book, even for mild anxiety, since Ms. Ashley's method may lead to deeper and more important issues.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Absolutely Fabulous Book!, June 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Overcoming Stage Fright In Everyday Life (Hardcover)

Overcoming Stage Fright in Everday Life is an outstanding book. It helped me overcome many of my fears when standing up to speak in class. It has also anabled me to be confident abuot myself in many circumstances. This book has helped me in clear and concrete ways. It should deifnitely be read by anyone who has stage fright, whether minor or more serious.