“What’s wrong with me?!” Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety: Stop Medicalizing Your Fear
“What’s wrong with me?!” How ‘medicalizing’ public speaking anxiety fuels your fear
Using terms like public speaking anxiety to describe the experience can create a negative relationship with speaking itself. When we talk about the ‘symptoms’ associated with our fear (like shaky hands or a racing heart) we end up associating the fear with something truly dangerous.
"How do I keep my voice from shaking?” Why your voice shakes when speaking in public, and what you can do about it
"How do I keep my voice from shaking?” Why your voice shakes when speaking in public, and what you can do about it
People with public speaking anxiety often feel like the fear is something they have to conceal. They often ask if there are and tricks to keep your voice from shaking. Fortunately, research has given us plenty of solutions and tools to stop a shaky voice - as well as the ways to understand why it happens in the first place.
Speaking, stigma, and shame: Public speaking anxiety is something organizations shouldn't ignore
Speaking, stigma, and shame: Public speaking anxiety is something organizations shouldn't ignore
One of the questions I ask all new clients struggling with public speaking anxiety is, “do you feel like you need to conceal this problem?” The answer is almost always yes. People usually talk about the judgment they anticipate having to face—the kind that can result in pity, discomfort, negative evaluations and even demotions.
Ride the wave: 3 tools to help you rethink, redirect, and reframe your public speaking fear
Ride the wave: 3 tools to help you rethink, redirect, and reframe your public speaking fear
Many people have butterflies when getting up in front of a crowd. However, people with public speaking anxiety feel these jitters on another level. A racing heart, shaking palms, sweating, dry mouth, lightheadedness, or nausea can all be byproducts of the panic and dread associated with this kind of fear.
Fear less, not fearless: Why accepting our fear of public speaking is the pathway to personal success
Fear less, not fearless: Why accepting our fear of public speaking is the pathway to personal success
When we meet for the first time, most of my clients say their goal is to totally extinguish their fear of public speaking. However, this not only sets you up for black and white thinking—’either I get rid of my public speaking fear, or I don’t!’—it also makes the goal less attainable and reinforces the idea of the fear being a ‘bad’ thing.
What am I really afraid of? How understanding your fear of public speaking can help you overcome it
What am I really afraid of? How understanding your fear of public speaking can help you overcome it
Bridging the gap between where you are now and where you’d like to be is easier when you can unpack, dissect, and be curious about why you’re feeling scared
What is public speaking self-confidence (and why it’s different than you think!)
What is public speaking self-confidence (and why it’s different than you think!)
Public speaking doesn’t always involve a crowd. Job interviews, meetings, and other ‘high stakes’ scenarios can also result in public speaking anxiety or nerves that prevent you from doing your best. When this anxiety arises, the focus often shifts to the way you appear to others instead of the work you’re doing yourself: but true self confidence is knowing you’re going to be okay, even if something goes wrong.
How to Build Confidence in Public Speaking | Podcast Episode
How to Improve Your Confidence in Public Speaking | Podcast Episode
Bayley Levy (@itsbayleysworld) invited me to speak on her podcast to discuss the origins of public speaking, why it’s so hard, and what we can do to better manage our fears.
How to Feel Less Anxiety Before Presentations: Harvard Research Study
How to Feel Less Anxiety Before Presentations: Harvard Research Study
Research is beginning to show that we might have it all wrong - that if we want to help individuals who experience speech or performance anxiety, we shouldn’t be telling them to calm down.
Strategies to Help You Conquer Your Public Speaking Anxiety
Strategies to Help You Conquer Your Public Speaking Anxiety
Fear is a normal part of life, but it becomes problematic when your fear turns into avoidance and begins to run your life. For those with public-speaking anxiety, we look for any excuse to avoid speaking in front of others.