You Will Never Overcome Your Public Speaking Fears

ANXIETY IS A SIGNAL THAT WE FEEL SOMETHING IMPORTANT IS BEYOND OUR CONTROL. FEAR OR UNEASINESS CAN MAKE US RISK-AVERSE.

BUT IF WE’RE TOO RISK AVERSE OR GIVE UP IN THE FACE OF OBSTACLES TOO EASY, WE’LL NEVER TRY ANYTHING, THEREBY GUARANTEEING FAILURE.

– Marc Brackett

OVERCOMING YOUR FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING IS A MYTH.

😱 Yesh! Last week, you told us that joy was killing our confidence. This week, you are telling us that we will never overcome our public speaking fears!

I told you I was an anti-motivational speaker.

And no, you will never overcome your public speaking fears. There are certain words I can’t stand. “Overcome” is one of them.

🏴‍☠️ To quote the great Dread Pirate Roberts: “That word. I don’t think it means what you think it means.”

Google “Public Speaking”, and you are bound to find someone advertising that they can help you “overcome” your public speaking fears.

That is nonsense.

Claiming that you can overcome your public speaking fears is like claiming you can overcome your need for water: It is biologically impossible.

ANY time we are in a high-stakes, high-stress situation, we will always go into fight-flight-or-freeze mode. EVERY time.

Can we get more comfortable with that feeling? Sure.

Can we use that feeling to our advantage? Absolutely.

MIC CHECK: THREE WAYS TO MANAGE YOUR SPEAKING FEARS

This week’s Mic Check is VERY practical. These are ways to hack the nervous energy that your body has and transform it into your fuel and focus.

1. Hold Something. Nervous while you speak? Hold something. In REALLY nerve-wracking situations, I use an acupressure ring (You can see me wearing one in this video.) The nervous energy that seems to be somehow imploding and exploding in you will be released by holding on to something tight in a way that is not distracting to your audience.

2. Slow Down. This seems overly simplistic, but it works. Our minds are ALWAYS faster than our mouths, which increases communication anxiety. Slow down. You will find your body is calmer, and your words are more precise.

3. Mindful Mantra. Say these words out loud to yourself: I am safe. I am safe. I am safe. Your body thinks you are in danger. Remind yourself that you are not in physical danger and that your body does not need to pump you full of life-saving adrenaline.

Need more? Check out one of my favorite humans on the planet, Amy Cuddy. Watch the full video, but bring your tissue box. The last story she tells is 😱🤯!

Keep speaking up your story,

ENCORE: MORE TO EXPLORE

IS CONFIDENCE A CHOICE?

Some argue that confidence is a choice – something that you can access in the moment. Is this true? Short answer: No. Long answer – click on the link to read below.

WATCH NOW

THEN THERE WAS THE TIME I ACCIDENTALLY WON THE BIGGEST TROPHY I EVER EARNED…

This is one of my favorite speech stories. If you don’t know, I grew up competing in the academic sport of Speech and Debate. It is much more exciting than it sounds. Get a glimpse here.

READ NOW