How to Speak Without Anxiety

Not all stress is detrimental...

The excitement you feel before a contest or tournament, or before walking down the aisle in a friend’s wedding is good stress. Adrenaline flows through your body and pumps you up to be focused on the event. Look at stress as energy being readied so you have enough excitement to do well.

The physical symptoms you feel when you are excited are similar to the symptoms you feel when you are anxious. These include sweating, upset stomach, dry mouth, and hands and voice shaking.

You have some control over your stress symptoms. Say to yourself,

• “What I’m feeling is normal stress. It gives me energy.”

• “I can do well even though I think I can’t! I will do the best I can. I’m only here to help them.”

How does this information help you when you are giving a speech?....

To alleviate your stress, you need to talk sanely to yourself!

Some examples are:
1) “What if I don’t remember my next line?” “I will stop and look at my outline notes.” “I will say, ‘Just a moment’ as I check my notes or repeat the last thing I said to cue myself.”

2) “What if I can’t remember the right word?” “I will rehearse aloud in the empty conference room or an office so I can find which words I need to add to my notes.”

3) “What if I don’t have anything profound to say?” “I can agree with what someone else has just said.”

4) “What if I say something stupid?” “I will laugh at myself and maybe say, ‘I can do better.”

5) “What if I’m not received well?” “No one makes a goal on every play.” “I will ask others after the meeting how I could improve next time. I will replay the incident with me doing the new behavior to get comfortable for next time that happens.”

6) “What if I stutter and stammer?” “I will smile and slow down and begin that sentence again. I have no need to rush. My ideas are valuable, too.”