Hello and a warm welcome to my blog. My first one, in fact.

My name is Sarah Luong and, as you know, I’m a Performance Anxiety Coach, English and Music Teacher based in West Sussex.

In this piece, you can read about what you’re going to be reading about over the coming months – if you see what I mean!

Plus, I want to explain why I do what I do. And, the reasons I feel so strongly about the general topic of “angst” in any performance situation, be that playing, presenting or speaking in front of others.

You’ll see regular blogs from me. May I ask you to share them on social media? It would be great to have your feedback and comments. Let’s spread the word and get the conversation going.

I’m lucky enough to do something I truly love and hope this will come across in my blog posts.

What’s in My Blogs?

In short, I’d like to offer practical, actionable tips; suggestions that I know actually work.

With my personal and professional experience, I’ve got plenty of advice to offer regarding this type of fear and anxiety. After all, it affects most of us during our lifetime, and can be life-limiting.

Also, about language learning, specifically English. Not least, general well-being guidance to help you feel great and “perform with ease”.

I hope to inspire you. Everything will be ultra-easy to read and laid out in a way that allows you to absorb it quickly. Remember that most of us lose the will to live when faced with long sentences and paragraphs on a website. So, I’ll keep things as straightforward as possible, using numbered sections.

Then, you can cherry-pick one or two pointers to start incorporating into your everyday life.

How does that sound?

Themes and Topics to Look Forward To  

1. Easier ways to think differently. We are our thoughts. And sometimes our thoughts and feelings don’t serve us well. In fact, they hold us back and stop us from achieving our full potential. Obviously, this will not do. The idea of mindset change may seem exceptionally difficult but it’s like almost everything in life: with practice, you really can start to see things from a different angle, not least your own anxiety.
2. Tips to deal with nerves, in business networking scenarios. We’ve all been there: you walk into an event and want to turn around and leave. The whole thing is overwhelmingly intimidating. Or, you have to do your dreaded 60-second “elevator pitch” in a more formal networking setting. You really struggle with this and feel you never get it right.
3. Advice on breathing. Yes we all do it and we’re hardly aware of it. It’s in our subconscious, keeping us alive. However, breathing can become fast and shallow when anxiety takes over and prevents us from giving full measure. You’ll find great ideas to help you master this.
4. Practising an instrument. Just because you’re practising, it doesn’t mean you’re doing it as effectively as you could be. Keep an eye out for this article; it could be a real game-changer.
5. Dealing with frustration in the practice room. Sometimes it just isn’t working, is it? I’ve got some hints and guidelines to help you conquer your vexation.
6. Efficient language learning. A vast topic, but one we could explore in detail. English isn’t easy to master, as it’s full of bizarre idioms and has subtle nuances that can trip up the inexperienced learner. I’ll help you naturally absorb your adopted language, giving you the confidence and skills you deserve.

What’s My Why?

You may have heard of Simon Sinek, author of “Start with Why”, a way of uncovering and expressing why you do what you do.

In a business context, this refers to the reason someone becomes self-employed and runs their own business. The thinking here is that telling your story helps you connect with others and mostly, I agree with this idea.

But with me it goes further.

Crippling, and I mean crippling performance anxiety ruled my life for several years. It got in the way. It had me in its pernicious grip for far longer than it should have done. Through application and commitment, I’m delighted to report that I’ve conquered it and now play my piano in front of others with relative confidence – although of course, I’m still nervous as most of us would be.

Anxiety almost ruined everything.

Let me state the obvious:

As a musician, you perform. It’s what you do. Unless you can’t.

During my degree course I did two recitals, six months apart. Halfway through one of them I was so debilitated by nerves – call it crushing fear, really – that I left. I just got up and left.

And completely stopped playing the piano for twenty years. Twenty long years. Can you imagine?

Something I adored and an incident that affected me so badly; my passion for music and love of the piano was taken away from me through fear.

Therefore, My Why Is…

…Helping others.

I’ve achieved my goal and want to help my fellow anxiety sufferers do the same.

I’d love to reach people like you who may be struggling with performance anxiety. I feel strongly that you can overcome it but it’s more than that: you deserve to. Life is way too short. What used to be called “stage fright” is extremely common yet we don’t talk about it so much. It’s holding you back and most likely, it’s getting in the way of your personal and professional development.

Through various techniques including visualisation, breathwork, and working on your mindset, if you commit to change and work hard you will be able to make it happen.

Equally, speaking English with native speakers in a UK firm; second language anxiety is real, it’s not just a vague concept. And, presenting your credentials at a networking event. You feel all eyes are on you but don’t worry – there are ways to think, feel and perform differently.

Look out for my next blog. We’ll be getting practical with “Five Tips for Nervous Networkers”.