--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you're up there [on stage] thinking…" description: "\"If you're up there [on stage] thinking about what you're doing, you're just not there and it's not going to happen.So trying to learn how to overcome t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93d/bruce-springsteen-546_blow_if-you-re-up-there-on-stage-thinking-abo_1593313.jpg" --- # If you're up there \[on stage\] thinking about what you're… ![“If you're up there [on stage] thinking about what you're doing, you're just not there and it's not going to happen.So trying to learn how to overcome those - which is a normal thing to do. You're in front of a lot of people. People are going to get very self-conscious. So you have to learn to sort…” quote by Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93d/bruce-springsteen-546_blow_if-you-re-up-there-on-stage-thinking-abo_1593313.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93d/bruce-springsteen-546_blow_if-you-re-up-there-on-stage-thinking-abo_1593313.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93d/bruce-springsteen-546_blow_if-you-re-up-there-on-stage-thinking-abo_1593313.jpg) > “If you're up there \[on stage\] thinking about what you're doing, you're just not there and it's not going to happen.So trying to learn how to overcome those - which is a normal thing to do. You're in front of a lot of people. People are going to get very self-conscious. So you have to learn to sort of overcome that tendency towards self-consciousness and just blow it wide open. And you jump in and join all those people that are out there enjoying what you're doing together.” [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Stage anxiety stems from over‑thinking; embracing the moment and joining the audience reduces self‑consciousness. **In simple terms:** Stop over‑thinking, enjoy the crowd. Key Takeaway Focus on the experience, not the fear. Themes confidence performance mindset Mood energized determined Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - public speaking - concerts - workshops - team presentations Key Concepts self‑awareness presence group dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can you shift focus from self to audience? - What rituals help you stay present? A Different Perspective Self‑consciousness can still surface despite practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Overcoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcoming/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self conscious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-conscious/) [Self consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-consciousness/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [Things to do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-to-do/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [If you know that someone is going to hear what you're doing, you're always going to be self-conscious about it. In a way that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-martsch/if-you-know-that-someone-is-going-to-hear-what-you-re-doing-you-re/) [Doug Martsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-martsch/) > [I really think that if there's any one enemy to human creativity, especially creative writing, its self-consciousness. And if you have one eye on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-really-think-that-if-there-s-any-one-enemy-to-human-creativity-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you come from your heart in the midst of your self and in your life, you’ll be like a salmon turning and going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-ruiter/when-you-come-from-your-heart-in-the-midst-of-your-self-and-in-your/) [John de Ruiter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-ruiter/) > [It's both a blessing and a curse. It's great having that goal and never settling, but at the same time I am rarely satisfied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zara-larsson/it-s-both-a-blessing-and-a-curse-it-s-great-having-that-goal-and/) [Zara Larsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zara-larsson/) > [Everybody's always going to have some self-interest. When it passes a certain point, that's when it become corruption.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zephyr-teachout/everybody-s-always-going-to-have-some-self-interest-when-it-passes-a/) [Zephyr Teachout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zephyr-teachout/) > [When I am on stage, I am often thinking about what I will eat after the show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nish-kumar/when-i-am-on-stage-i-am-often-thinking-about-what-i-will-eat-after/) [Nish Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nish-kumar/) > [“We simply haven’t advanced to that stage of thinking—a stage where you see that the inner development of each person is intrinsically connected to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanzi-freinacht/we-simply-haven-t-advanced-to-that-stage-of-thinking-a-stage-where/) [Hanzi Freinacht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanzi-freinacht/) > [When I'm up on stage, I'm thinking more about my fans and about myself as a singer and an artist. When I'm at home…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-turner/when-i-m-up-on-stage-i-m-thinking-more-about-my-fans-and-about-myself/) [Josh Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-turner/) > [Traditional alpinism is to go where the others are not going and to be self-reliant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/traditional-alpinism-is-to-go-where-the-others-are-not-going-and-to/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [But I could never in a million years get up on a stage, ever. Even thinking about it makes me feel like fainting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mccartney/but-i-could-never-in-a-million-years-get-up-on-a-stage-ever-even/) [Mary McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mccartney/) > [Too many people are going for self and not trying to help their communities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-powell/too-many-people-are-going-for-self-and-not-trying-to-help-their/) [Kevin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-powell/) > [Just giving the people a great show, leaving it all on the stage. Like when I'm finished I don't want to go home with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/just-giving-the-people-a-great-show-leaving-it-all-on-the-stage-like/) [Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/) > [A lot of times when you're acting, you're no longer talking and listening; you're going at it for your own self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-lot-of-times-when-you-re-acting-you-re-no-longer-talking-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't see. I used to wear glasses off stage. Now I'm thinking of getting a pair of contract lenses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/i-can-t-see-i-used-to-wear-glasses-off-stage-now-i-m-thinking-of/) [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) > [The discussion of ideas as opposed to the American narcissistic obsession with what's going on with the self, that's the general thing people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-crouch/the-discussion-of-ideas-as-opposed-to-the-american-narcissistic/) [Stanley Crouch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-crouch/) ## More by Bruce Springsteen > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [When I die throw my body in the back and drive me to the junk yard in my Cadillac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/when-i-die-throw-my-body-in-the-back-and-drive-me-to-the-junk-yard-in/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [When you start talking about elections being rigged, you're pushing people beyond democratic governance. And it's a very, very dangerous thing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/when-you-start-talking-about-elections-being-rigged-you-re-pushing/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I got Mary pregnant and man that's all she wrote. And for my 19th birthday, I got a union card and a factory coat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-got-mary-pregnant-and-man-that-s-all-she-wrote-and-for-my-19th/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [ I don't know if I know anyone, with the exception of the early inventors of rock music \[who wasn't influenced by something\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-don-t-know-if-i-know-anyone-with-the-exception-of-the-early/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [People see you onstage and, yeah, I'd want to be that guy.I want to be that guy myself very often.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/people-see-you-onstage-and-yeah-i-d-want-to-be-that-guy-i-want-to-be/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [You know, my music utilizes things from the past, because that's what the past is for. It's to learn from. It's not to limit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/you-know-my-music-utilizes-things-from-the-past-because-that-s-what/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [From the town of Lincoln Nebraska with a sawed off .410 on my lap, through the Badlands of Wyoming I killed everything in my path.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/from-the-town-of-lincoln-nebraska-with-a-sawed-off-410-on-my-lap/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I want a thousand guitars . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-want-a-thousand-guitars/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [In America everything's about who's number one today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/in-america-everything-s-about-who-s-number-one-today/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [A pop song is a condensed version of a life in three minutes, whereas, when you go to write your prose, you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/a-pop-song-is-a-condensed-version-of-a-life-in-three-minutes-whereas/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I walked a thousand miles just to slip this skin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-walked-a-thousand-miles-just-to-slip-this-skin/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [The moment you begin to depend on audience reaction, you're doing the wrong thing. You're doin' it wrong, it's a mistake, it's not right.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/the-moment-you-begin-to-depend-on-audience-reaction-you-re-doing-the/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [The name 'Boss' started with people that worked for me... It was not meant like Boss, capital B, it was meant like 'Boss, where's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/the-name-boss-started-with-people-that-worked-for-me-it-was-not-meant/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [The country we carry in our hearts is waiting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/the-country-we-carry-in-our-hearts-is-waiting/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) [Explore all 484 Bruce Springsteen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) ## More Blow quotes > [The wind always seems to blow against catchers when they are running.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-garagiola/the-wind-always-seems-to-blow-against-catchers-when-they-are-running/) [Joe Garagiola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-garagiola/) > [Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow! You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout Till you have drenched our teeples, drowned the cocks! You sulphurour…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/blow-winds-and-crack-your-cheeks-rage-blow-you-cataracts-and/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If he wants to blow his head off, let him. I don't give a damn about Jim Bakker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-hahn/if-he-wants-to-blow-his-head-off-let-him-i-don-t-give-a-damn-about/) [Jessica Hahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-hahn/) > [If we blow ourselves up we will do it by misapplication of science; if we manage to keep from blowing ourselves up, it will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/if-we-blow-ourselves-up-we-will-do-it-by-misapplication-of-science-if/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Not I, not I, but the wind that blows through me! A fine wind is blowing the new direction of Time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/not-i-not-i-but-the-wind-that-blows-through-me-a-fine-wind-is-blowing/) [D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) > [The only two good words that can be said for a hurricane are that it gives sufficient warning of its approach, and that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/the-only-two-good-words-that-can-be-said-for-a-hurricane-are-that-it/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [Music is a wind that blows away the years, memories, and fear, that crouching animal I carry inside me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-allende/music-is-a-wind-that-blows-away-the-years-memories-and-fear-that/) [Isabel Allende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-allende/) > [The supposedly immaterial soul, we now know, can be bisected with a knife, altered by chemicals, started or stopped by electricity, and extinguished by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/the-supposedly-immaterial-soul-we-now-know-can-be-bisected-with-a/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [One of the wonderful things about Portlandia - and I'm not just blowing smoke, although I can blow smoke, but I'm not - is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/one-of-the-wonderful-things-about-portlandia-and-i-m-not-just-blowing/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [I would always find a way to blow the deal and I'm not sure why. I think there was part of me that wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-isaac/i-would-always-find-a-way-to-blow-the-deal-and-i-m-not-sure-why-i/) [Oscar Isaac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-isaac/) > [Letters crossing in the post, unfamiliar tunes heard three times in one day, the way that blows of fate descend upon the same bowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/letters-crossing-in-the-post-unfamiliar-tunes-heard-three-times-in/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [Truth is, right now two bombs could drop out of the sky and blow up this house and whatever building you're in and just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mackaye/truth-is-right-now-two-bombs-could-drop-out-of-the-sky-and-blow-up/) [Ian MacKaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mackaye/) > [The old saying is true: If you have only the Word, you dry up. If you have only the Spirit, you blow up. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/the-old-saying-is-true-if-you-have-only-the-word-you-dry-up-if-you/) [Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/) > [I can turn an idea into a business before you know it's going to be important. My first step will blow by you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/i-can-turn-an-idea-into-a-business-before-you-know-it-s-going-to-be/) [Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/) > [The Brick House was one of the toughest joints I ever played in ... Guys would drink and fight one another like circle saws.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/the-brick-house-was-one-of-the-toughest-joints-i-ever-played-in-guys/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) Browse all 2,324 Blow quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you're up there [on stage] thinking about what you're doing, you're just not there and it's not going to happen.So trying to learn how to overcome those - which is a normal thing to do. You're in front of a lot of people. People are going to get very self-conscious. So you have to learn to sort of overcome that tendency towards self-consciousness and just blow it wide open. 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