Aspergers and Performance Anxiety

Summary

The speaker shares their experience with Taekwondo and drumming, expressing frustration with the pressure to perform perfectly in a short time frame without adequate warm-up. They prefer activities like tennis where they can control their readiness. The script discusses the anxiety of being 'on' at the right moment and the challenges of unpredictability in performance settings. The speaker advocates for understanding the effort behind a good performance and the importance of being able to warm up and be in the zone for optimal results.

Takeaways

• 🥋 The speaker enjoyed practicing Taekwondo in university but disliked the competition aspect due to the pressure of performing in a short time frame.
• 🏃‍♂️ Training for competitions was intense and time-consuming, but the actual competition was condensed into a single 60-second fight, which felt inadequate for showcasing their skills.
• 🎶 Similar to Taekwondo, the speaker also experienced performance anxiety with playing drums, where timing was crucial and being 'in the zone' was essential.
• 🎾 The speaker preferred sports like tennis where they could take time to warm up and be ready before starting, unlike the sudden demands of Taekwondo competitions.
• 🔋 Being 'on' or 'off' was a binary state for the speaker, and transitioning from 'off' to 'on' required time and energy, which was difficult in situations with unpredictable timing.
• 🕒 The speaker struggled with the unpredictability of when they would need to perform, which led to anxiety and the feeling of being unprepared.
• 🎤 Public speaking was more manageable for the speaker as they could regain composure if they lost their place, unlike the strict timing requirements of competitions.
• 📺 The idea of live TV or radio was daunting because of the lack of control over timing and the potential for last-minute changes that could disrupt their performance.
• 🤔 The speaker's performance anxiety stems from the need to be fully prepared and warmed up at a specific time, which can be disrupted by unexpected changes.
• 👀 People often only see the final performance and not the effort and preparation that goes into achieving it, which can lead to misunderstandings about the speaker's abilities.
• 🌟 Sharing their experiences and anxieties helps the speaker feel more understood and reduces anxiety, as it sets realistic expectations for their performance.

Q & A

What martial art did the speaker practice during university?

The speaker practiced Taekwondo during university.

How often and for how long were the Taekwondo training sessions described by the speaker?

The training sessions were four times a week and lasted for 2 hours each, involving intense activities like running, jumping, and kicking.

Why did the speaker not enjoy the competitive aspect of Taekwondo?

The speaker did not enjoy the competition because it relied on a single 60-second performance after weeks or months of training, which they felt did not allow enough time to warm up and be mentally prepared.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of warming up before performing?

The speaker believes warming up is crucial for them to be in the zone and perform at their best, and lack of adequate warm-up time can lead to underperformance.

How does the speaker's experience with drumming relate to their feelings about performing?

Similar to Taekwondo, drumming requires being ready at the exact right time, and the speaker finds it challenging to perform well without the necessary warm-up and preparation time.

What sport does the speaker prefer due to its flexibility in timing?

The speaker prefers tennis because it allows them to take some time to get ready before serving the ball and starting the point.

How does the speaker describe their performance readiness in terms of being 'on' or 'off'?

The speaker describes being 'on' as being fully prepared and in the zone, while 'off' means they are not ready and require time to warm up to be 'on'.

What does the speaker refer to as 'performance anxiety'?

The speaker refers to 'performance anxiety' as the stress that comes from needing to be 100% ready at a specific time, which requires constant warming up and readiness for sudden changes.

Why does the speaker avoid situations where they cannot determine the timing?

The speaker avoids such situations because they need the flexibility to warm up and get into the zone, which is difficult if they have to perform without any control over the timing.

What is the speaker's strategy when it comes to public speaking?

The speaker may ask for a moment or take a sip of water to regain composure if they lose their place, which gives them the necessary seconds to warm up and be ready.

What is the main purpose of the speaker making this video?

The main purpose is to share their experience and anxiety related to performance, hoping that by understanding their situation, others will be more forgiving if they don't perform perfectly the first time.