I used to think that it was just me that struggled. During my GCSE’s I stuggled with anxiety, even though I didn’t have a name for it then. I didn’t think anyone else had the same anxiety as me. I thought it was just me. When I was revising for A’ levels it was the same. I recall arriving for my interview for Clinical Psychology training and thinking that everyone else in the room was different. Not only different but actually better than me. I thought they were more clearer and focused in their thinking, more academic, brighter, sparklier etc etc. Ever had thoughts like these? I now understand this as performance anxiety.

It’s only through talking to people more that I have realised that this simply is not the case. IT IS NOT JUST ME. Life isn’t meant to be easy, having struggles, anxieties, fears etc. seems to be a side effect of being human.

But it also doesn’t have to be that hard, we can find ways to make things work for us.

Just because we have some kind of performance anxiety, it does not mean that we can’t learn to use it to our advantage.

It’s normal to struggle and find things difficult.

I always find comfort when I hear that high profile people who we may well think have it all still have their struggles. I’ve recently listened to the Calm series. Shawn Mendes talks about using meditation to help him with his performance anxiety. I watched the Taylor Swift documentary. She talked about feeling that her songwriting and her skill were not good enough. Really, how can she think that? She’s amazing. And who can forget Prince Harry recently talking about how EMDR therapy helped him. These people who have achieved so highly in their profession or in their life. They achieve in their life yet still have to work at it and have their challenges. NO ONE HAS IT EASY  

What I realise and talk a lot about to my clients now is that IT’S NORMAL TO STRUGGLE AND FIND THINGS DIFFICULT. Everyone at some point does. 

Want to read more about performance anxiety. Click here for my recent blog on this topic

When we push ourselves out of our comfort zone, our worries and performance anxieties come to the forefront of our mind.

There are many ways we might try to enhance our life. Going for that job promotion, starting our own business, aiming for a sporting goal. But often when we try we are likely to come up against a blocking belief. A mindset block that if not acknowledged may well really hold us back.

It’s normal to feel triggered, anxious, uncomfortable if we are pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone. But what we know is that pushing ourselves out of that comfort zone is where all the magic tends to happen.

EMDR coaching can help us all.

So it’s ok to have our struggles, to have our blocks. BUT this doesn’t mean that we can’t achieve our goals or enhance our performance. Once we are aware of them we can try to challenge and change them and EMDR can help with this.

EMDR initially emerged as a trauma focused treatment however as it has been used more widely. We are understanding that it can too be used in the field of post traumatic growth and in performance enhancement. 

When we have to do anything in front of other people, we are performing. This can cause us anxiety. We can even experience some fear. Using EMDR and coaching skills can help to target and process the key experiences that are linked to the negative or blocking beliefs. These could be beliefs such as “I can’t do this”. “I am not good enough” etc etc. This will help understand the blocks and beliefs that are holding us back from achieving our best and enhancing our performance. 

EMDR can then help us to develop and enhance our skills and qualities to help with performance enhancement. We can install and enhance positive beliefs. We can imagine the experience and use Bilateral Stimulation to process any anxiety around this.  Have a look Here to find out more about it.

Hi, I am Dr Hannah Bryan, thanks for reading my blog.

I am a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and a Europe Accredited EMDR Facilitator and Consultant.

I have over 20 years experience in both the NHS and private practice.

Like you, I am only human and I have had my hard times and I have got many blocking beliefs that at times hold me back from me realising my potential and being my best. 

EMDR incorporated with coaching has helped me work things through and be in a position now where I have a thriving and inspiring psychology practice. It’s always a journey and I’m always working on my blocks, my mental health and my well being.

As well as coaching, I also provide psychological therapy and support other therapists training in EMDR, I am a Facilitator on training courses and offer specific supervision packages and training to support this. Click here to book a free 15 minute coffee chat with me to see if I can be of help to you.