I was talking to a group of IB students who are due to be sitting their exams over the next few months, there are mock exams coming up and other tests in between. They were tired, stressed out and there was a general sense of trepidation. It got me thinking, does the word "test" make your blood turn cold too?
We have taken so many tests throughout our lives, from those spelling tests in primary school, to driving tests or exams and auditions and many more. If you are someone like me, that word "test" has always filled me with dread and musters up all sorts of feelings of apprehension.
I was never very good at exams because the pressure of being caught out was just too much to bear.
I always approached the test believing that they were trying to trip me up, that they want me to fail and I have to prove to them that I actually I can do it.
Anyone else feel that?
I used to think that auditions were a test too; you are not right for the part until you prove otherwise; they are trying to catch you out; they are comparing you to so many other far more suitable people.
Life would be very difficult and unpleasant if this mindset accompanied you to every audition or test wouldn't it?
What's the solution then?
A simple shift in your mindset is all it takes to make this process way less daunting and actually exciting.
Start thinking of a test as your opportunity to show them what you know. They are not trying to catch you out, they want you to succeed and are giving you the platform to share your skills and ability.
A casting director wouldn't have called you in if they thought you weren't right for the part! You wouldn't be sitting the test unless you had been given the knowledge beforehand.
The test paper is just a chance to put down some of the insight you have acquired and this is your opportunity to show them that.
You just have to do your part, which is to try your best and suddenly not so scary is it? Suddenly it is quite exciting.
So with this new mindset, I wish you all the best for any of you who have a test or audition coming up and go in there now thinking of that ghastly word as: Time to Excitedly Show Them