Here are some socratic questions that can be helpful to loosen the power that negative beliefs and self-talk can wield.

1. What is the evidence for this? (ex. I will pass out or puke on stage.)

2. Is it always true?

3. Has it been true in the past?

4. What are the odds of this reall happening (or being true)?

5. What is the very worst thing that could happen? What would be so bad about that? What would I do if the worst happened? Could I live with that?

6. Am I looking at the whole picture?

7. Am I being fully objective?

Be especially alert to self talk that begins with "What if...?)

If all you notice thinking is something like "Oh no!" Realize you have developed 'shorthand' automatic thinking. "Oh no!" stands for, "Oh no, my heart is racing, what if I faint, what if I forget the words, what if I don't hit that high note....etc.etc.etc."

Janie