Stop feeding the fear creature.
Resist letting others convince us that we should feel the fear.
Would you really rather be in the coffin?
Of course we’re scared to speak in public
lead a meeting
give a speech
talk to 2 or 2,000
If we care, we are.
We are nervous because it matters. Because we care enough to want to do a good job.
Be wary of playing into the fear of your fear.
As actors we live by the adage, “no longer nervous = retire.”
If we are no longer nervous, we no longer care enough about
Our audience
Our voice
Our message
Stop indulging the fear creature
Nerves—
They won’t go away
Don’t wish them away
Reframe them
Embrace them
Pause…
Are you truly scared?
Or do you not want people to think you’re arrogant.
Our society has a tendency to confuse confidence with arrogance.
Claim your Nervouscitement!
Nervous/Excited/nervouscitement
It’s the same physiological response in our bodies.
Hearts beat faster
Palms sweaty
Sweaty all over
Nauseated
In certain situations we pay to be nervous and scared
Rides at an amusement park
Scary movies
Extreme sports
Yet in public speaking we throw money at the prospect to be nerve free.
“It should be gone.”
“I must be calm.”
NONSENSE!
Use it. Enjoy it.
Because what price will you really pay?
You lose the nerves, you lose the care.
Nerves show you that you care.
Defy the fear creature
There is reason to be nervous
People are
Judging
Looking
Scrutinizing
Assessing
People are also
Absorbing
Enjoying
Learning
Relishing
Humans observe and judge other humans.
Humans also crave connection.
Enjoy your connection to other humans
And be nervous at the same time.
Enjoy!
Sharing your ideas
Facilitating a meeting
Standing in front and leading
Giving an award
Receiving an award
Connecting
Feeling nervouscitement doesn’t mean you are not aligned.
You can be fully aligned,
Connected to yourself AND nervous,
Don’t panic with a rushing heartbeat.
Acknowledge and thank it.
“Thanks for caring that much.”
Then focus on them
Give them what they want
Meet their expectations
And go beyond
For them, your audience.
If you said you loved speaking in public, be it an audience of 2 or 2000, would it be that bad?
Claim it! Your voice—we want to hear you.
Hilary Blair is a leadership keynote speaker based out of Denver, CO, and is the co-founder of ARTiculate: Real & Clear. She is also a highly regarded, actor, improviser, facilitator, voice-over artist, and voice expert coach. Contact us today to learn more.
