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InnerSelf Daily Inspiration - August 11, 2026

InnerSelf Daily Inspiration

August 11, 2026

How to Reduce Anxiety Ahead of Time

By Eric Maisel

"Working hard at practice is also the best defense I know against pre-concert nervousness. That nervousness can never be entirely eliminated but it can be psychologically prepared for by convincing yourself that you have done all the homework necessary for a solid performance."

— Eric Maisel

You can reduce your anxiety by being well prepared for situations that provoke anxiety in you. If public speaking makes you anxious and you're about to give interviews and talks in support of your new book, preparing answers beforehand will help with the interviews, and preparing your bookstore chat will help with the book signings. A great deal of the anxiety we experience is anticipatory, and carefully preparing is the key to reducing this kind of anxiety.

Practice and rehearsal can be great anxiety reducers. This also means practicing techniques and strategies that help you present yourself more confidently and fearlessly and that reduce your anxiety. You will also want to mentally rehearse upcoming events or interactions that typically provoke anxiety in you. Mental imaging provides you with the opportunity to work through anxiety-provoking situations in the privacy of your own mind.

Preparation is a large word and includes many sorts of activities, from really learning your lines to practicing how to speak about your novel to organizing your life so that there is room for the ambitious painting project you intend to begin. It means rehearsing; it means readying yourself for what is to come; it means identifying likely challenges and obstacles and knowing what you will do should they occur. Prepare yourself as best as you can for as much as you can. Doing so will forestall a lot of anxiety.
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Recommended Reading

Mastering Creative Anxiety: 24 Lessons for Writers, Painters, Musicians, and Actors from America's Foremost Creativity Coach by Eric Maisel

In his decades as a psychotherapist and creativity coach, Eric Maisel has found a common thread behind what often gets labeled "writer's block," "procrastination," or "stage fright" — the particular anxiety that can cripple creators for decades, even lifetimes. This book shares practical insights and proven techniques for overcoming the challenges and fears that plague creators of every kind. Teaching tales convey effective approaches to creating fearlessly and abundantly.

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Recap

This week’s issue focuses on navigating uncertainty through awareness, emotional insight, and conscious decision-making. With the addition of expanded astrology tools, readers gain both practical and reflective guidance for personal growth and life transitions.

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#PersonalGrowth #EmotionalAwareness #LifeChoices #InnerPeace #SelfAwareness
#Astrology #DailyHoroscope #WeeklyHoroscope #MonthlyHoroscope #PlanetaryInfluence
#Mindfulness #Relationships #HumanBehavior #Transformation #ConsciousLiving

 

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