The science of stage fright (and how to overcome it) - Mikael Cho
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Date: 2020-08-22
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Comments and reviews: 10
Rays
Oh yes, fear of speaking. My old friend. I have been in the consulting industry for around 25 years, mostly within the big 4 firms. One thing that is consistent, I'm always nervous. Sometimes so nervous that my heart is racing so fast that my breathing is too shallow to sustain o2 to my brain AND the ability to speak one full sentence, never mind deliver and hour long presentation. Over the years, I've learned some techniques to battle this fear - both the psychological and the physiological as well. Hang in there, there is hope my friends.
1. Breathe. Repeat. Deep breaths before you go on, several breaths, fill your lungs. Almost to the point where you are light headed. Remember, your heart is racing, and it needs oxygen. This will help calm your nerves a bit and enable you to have a little extra o2 on hand when you need it when you begin to speak. I find this also helps calm me.
2. Slowwwwwww dowwwwwn. You are anxious, you probably want to get this overwith as fast as possible. Your blood pressure is rocketing, your natural tendency is to slam into your presentation. Go easy. Pace yourself. Take it once concept/page at a time. Dont get ahead of yourself in your own thoughts, thinking about the next page, next topic, or an area that you may stumble with. And breathe.
3. Know your content. Practice it until you know your stuff backwards and forwards. If you realize on slide 2 that something is not clear in your head, this can cause additional anxiety and potentially make things a bit more challenging as you are trying to calm yourself.
4. Visualize yourself delivering the speech comfortably, and see the audience engaged and eager to hear what you have to say. Remember, nobody is there to see you fail. Only YOU know what you are going to say. The audience has no idea, so they will have NO idea if you miss something. You can always come back and add it if you need to. Remember that there is an end to this, and it will all be over soon - envision yourself enjoying the discussion.
5. Remember - what is the WORST thing that could happen? I mean really? Nobody will die, the police wont put you in cuffs, and nobody is going to stand-up and point and laugh at you. You were most likely hand picked for this task because of what you know and for being good at this. Try your best to remember these facts.
6. Just get the first 20 seconds out. The first 20 seconds is the hardest part, then its all down hill. Your brain (as much as we feel it betrays us in this situation by not listening to us when we tell it to be calm) does in fact learn that hey, its okay! I'm doing it! Your begin to get a rhythm and flow - your brain, realizing there is NO real emergency, cancels the alarm. Your heart rate begins to drop, blood pressure returns, and your adrenaline wears off. Its going to be okay.
BONUS TIP: If you have faith in a higher power, God in my case, ask for help. I do before each presentation - I ask Him to take over. Knowing you are NOT alone, and have the Almighty by your side can bring an incredible sense of calming and strength.
Sorry this is so long, but I know how it feels to be terrified. I hope these tips help. And remember, you got this!
reply
Oh yes, fear of speaking. My old friend. I have been in the consulting industry for around 25 years, mostly within the big 4 firms. One thing that is consistent, I'm always nervous. Sometimes so nervous that my heart is racing so fast that my breathing is too shallow to sustain o2 to my brain AND the ability to speak one full sentence, never mind deliver and hour long presentation. Over the years, I've learned some techniques to battle this fear - both the psychological and the physiological as well. Hang in there, there is hope my friends.
1. Breathe. Repeat. Deep breaths before you go on, several breaths, fill your lungs. Almost to the point where you are light headed. Remember, your heart is racing, and it needs oxygen. This will help calm your nerves a bit and enable you to have a little extra o2 on hand when you need it when you begin to speak. I find this also helps calm me.
2. Slowwwwwww dowwwwwn. You are anxious, you probably want to get this overwith as fast as possible. Your blood pressure is rocketing, your natural tendency is to slam into your presentation. Go easy. Pace yourself. Take it once concept/page at a time. Dont get ahead of yourself in your own thoughts, thinking about the next page, next topic, or an area that you may stumble with. And breathe.
3. Know your content. Practice it until you know your stuff backwards and forwards. If you realize on slide 2 that something is not clear in your head, this can cause additional anxiety and potentially make things a bit more challenging as you are trying to calm yourself.
4. Visualize yourself delivering the speech comfortably, and see the audience engaged and eager to hear what you have to say. Remember, nobody is there to see you fail. Only YOU know what you are going to say. The audience has no idea, so they will have NO idea if you miss something. You can always come back and add it if you need to. Remember that there is an end to this, and it will all be over soon - envision yourself enjoying the discussion.
5. Remember - what is the WORST thing that could happen? I mean really? Nobody will die, the police wont put you in cuffs, and nobody is going to stand-up and point and laugh at you. You were most likely hand picked for this task because of what you know and for being good at this. Try your best to remember these facts.
6. Just get the first 20 seconds out. The first 20 seconds is the hardest part, then its all down hill. Your brain (as much as we feel it betrays us in this situation by not listening to us when we tell it to be calm) does in fact learn that hey, its okay! I'm doing it! Your begin to get a rhythm and flow - your brain, realizing there is NO real emergency, cancels the alarm. Your heart rate begins to drop, blood pressure returns, and your adrenaline wears off. Its going to be okay.
BONUS TIP: If you have faith in a higher power, God in my case, ask for help. I do before each presentation - I ask Him to take over. Knowing you are NOT alone, and have the Almighty by your side can bring an incredible sense of calming and strength.
Sorry this is so long, but I know how it feels to be terrified. I hope these tips help. And remember, you got this!
reply
Vidya
I had watched so many videos on how to deal with anxiety when giving a speech, presentations, singing etc. I am sharing my experience on what helped me the most.
1. Practise. A LOT: Trust me guys. it works wonders. if u r preparing for a presentation or a speech make a habit to practise so many times that even when u get nervous and your mind goes blank you should be able to speak. I mean the words should come out of your mouth. Of course I am not saying to learn it without understanding the meaning and concept. u should know the true meaning of everything that u say. Practise in front of the mirror. record yourself using voice recorder. so that u will come to know about the speed and tone of your voice. take video of yourself so that u will understand the way you stand and speak.
2. Imagine yourself speaking in front of the crowd: Imagine this all the time when u are practising.
3. Build a confident badass character in your head and act accordingly: The character u build in ur head will be the person that u will manifest on the day. As the saying goes FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT.
4. Pay close attention to ur body language: There are many videos available on youtube which shows about how to hide your nervous body language etc. Take up some space, slow down a bit, use hand gestures, just go slow. this will trick ur brain into thinking that u are acrually calm.
5. Wear clothes in which u think u will look the best: Ofcourse everyone says that looks doesnt matter. but when u are the centre of attraction u should look the best. which will make u feel the best. and hence will boost confidence.
6. Manifest: It works guys. I am not saying that u should just keep on thinking without actually working towards it. Think about it, put efforts on it. And I can guarantee you that the results wont be disappointing.
7. Give your 100% and leave the rest in the hands of God: Everyone will have bad days, good days and worst days. Even if things get messed up do not worry it is the courage to continue that matters the most.
I am extremely anxious about large crowds and people. but today I am really happy as I had a presentation and my teacher said that I was very confident today. I was able to speak without blanking out. and yes I was nervous, but I was very good at hiding my nervousness. I practised so many times. and I really wanted to show that I can actually speak if I want to.
So guys please try this tips and I hope that u will be able to achieve everything that u want in ur life.
reply
I had watched so many videos on how to deal with anxiety when giving a speech, presentations, singing etc. I am sharing my experience on what helped me the most.
1. Practise. A LOT: Trust me guys. it works wonders. if u r preparing for a presentation or a speech make a habit to practise so many times that even when u get nervous and your mind goes blank you should be able to speak. I mean the words should come out of your mouth. Of course I am not saying to learn it without understanding the meaning and concept. u should know the true meaning of everything that u say. Practise in front of the mirror. record yourself using voice recorder. so that u will come to know about the speed and tone of your voice. take video of yourself so that u will understand the way you stand and speak.
2. Imagine yourself speaking in front of the crowd: Imagine this all the time when u are practising.
3. Build a confident badass character in your head and act accordingly: The character u build in ur head will be the person that u will manifest on the day. As the saying goes FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT.
4. Pay close attention to ur body language: There are many videos available on youtube which shows about how to hide your nervous body language etc. Take up some space, slow down a bit, use hand gestures, just go slow. this will trick ur brain into thinking that u are acrually calm.
5. Wear clothes in which u think u will look the best: Ofcourse everyone says that looks doesnt matter. but when u are the centre of attraction u should look the best. which will make u feel the best. and hence will boost confidence.
6. Manifest: It works guys. I am not saying that u should just keep on thinking without actually working towards it. Think about it, put efforts on it. And I can guarantee you that the results wont be disappointing.
7. Give your 100% and leave the rest in the hands of God: Everyone will have bad days, good days and worst days. Even if things get messed up do not worry it is the courage to continue that matters the most.
I am extremely anxious about large crowds and people. but today I am really happy as I had a presentation and my teacher said that I was very confident today. I was able to speak without blanking out. and yes I was nervous, but I was very good at hiding my nervousness. I practised so many times. and I really wanted to show that I can actually speak if I want to.
So guys please try this tips and I hope that u will be able to achieve everything that u want in ur life.
reply
kale
The minute i get on stage, my body has a very tingly feeling, i twitch and my palms sweat. I often have to breath in and out from a lack of oxygen. When i see the crowd facing their cameras at me, my leg begins to move in weird directions and my face will freeze. My school has done tons of presentations. I always had to do project presentations and share my ideas to the class, but even with the many times i presented, i was and still not able to overcome stagefright. Though sometimes i always think about how the crowd won't care about what you say. They are just there. I always have larger breaths and let it out before saying anything. They havent COMPLETELY take away my fear of the audience, but it helps me calm down a bit. Whenever you watch someone present, you probably dont care about it, which is probably the same for the audience you are talking to. Always remember the relief after you finish because when i do, my fear sometimes disappear for an amount of seconds (of course it does come back at some point but its a temporary relief trick i use)
reply
The minute i get on stage, my body has a very tingly feeling, i twitch and my palms sweat. I often have to breath in and out from a lack of oxygen. When i see the crowd facing their cameras at me, my leg begins to move in weird directions and my face will freeze. My school has done tons of presentations. I always had to do project presentations and share my ideas to the class, but even with the many times i presented, i was and still not able to overcome stagefright. Though sometimes i always think about how the crowd won't care about what you say. They are just there. I always have larger breaths and let it out before saying anything. They havent COMPLETELY take away my fear of the audience, but it helps me calm down a bit. Whenever you watch someone present, you probably dont care about it, which is probably the same for the audience you are talking to. Always remember the relief after you finish because when i do, my fear sometimes disappear for an amount of seconds (of course it does come back at some point but its a temporary relief trick i use)
reply
Kelly
I have a drama play tomorrow I am the main character ( I am in year 9 and performing my play in front of year 1s i dont know why I am nervous ) I am fine with scenes with other people in it but when I am the only person up there on the stage I get scared and muck up my lines and one of my scenes I have to fall down a flight of stairs and I dont want to fall of the stage but at the end of the day the they came to listen or watch you perform if they thought you werent good they wouldnt have come so just believe and laugh about it at the end thats what I do I laugh at my mistakes with my friends but even thought they sometimes they make me look back at myself and say what was I thinking I would rather people laugh with me not at me oh and please wish me luck.
reply
I have a drama play tomorrow I am the main character ( I am in year 9 and performing my play in front of year 1s i dont know why I am nervous ) I am fine with scenes with other people in it but when I am the only person up there on the stage I get scared and muck up my lines and one of my scenes I have to fall down a flight of stairs and I dont want to fall of the stage but at the end of the day the they came to listen or watch you perform if they thought you werent good they wouldnt have come so just believe and laugh about it at the end thats what I do I laugh at my mistakes with my friends but even thought they sometimes they make me look back at myself and say what was I thinking I would rather people laugh with me not at me oh and please wish me luck.
reply
Jessica
When I'm onstage, the lights are on me but you can't really see the crowd, which helps a lot. Rehearsing until you can do it in your sleep makes it almost second nature. I learned a long time ago that if you get stuck, there are others to push you on cue. Take a deep breath and say to yourself You've got this! Now go knock them dead!
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When I'm onstage, the lights are on me but you can't really see the crowd, which helps a lot. Rehearsing until you can do it in your sleep makes it almost second nature. I learned a long time ago that if you get stuck, there are others to push you on cue. Take a deep breath and say to yourself You've got this! Now go knock them dead!
reply
mal
I performed at my schools christmas show today, i was so nervous. My voice was shaky and i just couldnt sing all out. It sounded ok but i was so mad at myself afterwords because i know i can do so much better, and i killed it everytime in rehearsals.
this happens to me everytime i sing in front of a crowd. i hope i get over it soon.
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I performed at my schools christmas show today, i was so nervous. My voice was shaky and i just couldnt sing all out. It sounded ok but i was so mad at myself afterwords because i know i can do so much better, and i killed it everytime in rehearsals.
this happens to me everytime i sing in front of a crowd. i hope i get over it soon.
reply
ReN
My hands and voice shaking, makes me feel so embarassed, and its 2weeks before my presentation. In front of the governments, i keep running but its unavoidable now. Even I try to switch my job but no luck. What worst is I dont hv time to practice, some of the speech is a research of other colleague, will be ready H-2
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My hands and voice shaking, makes me feel so embarassed, and its 2weeks before my presentation. In front of the governments, i keep running but its unavoidable now. Even I try to switch my job but no luck. What worst is I dont hv time to practice, some of the speech is a research of other colleague, will be ready H-2
reply
Vedasri
I have stage fright. And I think it's not like anyone else. I'm so scared that I actually start crying before any presentation. One time in 7th grade I was so scared that I asked the teacher if I could not present. Yep. I did it. And I still have stage fright.
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I have stage fright. And I think it's not like anyone else. I'm so scared that I actually start crying before any presentation. One time in 7th grade I was so scared that I asked the teacher if I could not present. Yep. I did it. And I still have stage fright.
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Angelica
I have a presentation in front of the whole school in 4 days and Im really scared. Im doing it with 4 other people but I just hate the thought of everyone looking at me. And I always wonder what everyone is thinking about me its the worst.
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I have a presentation in front of the whole school in 4 days and Im really scared. Im doing it with 4 other people but I just hate the thought of everyone looking at me. And I always wonder what everyone is thinking about me its the worst.
reply
life
Couldn't bring myself to present in class, the teacher said that its okay if I present it in tutoring. So as soon as I was in front of the class and had to do it I literally ran out of the door and started crying. Nice one!
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Couldn't bring myself to present in class, the teacher said that its okay if I present it in tutoring. So as soon as I was in front of the class and had to do it I literally ran out of the door and started crying. Nice one!
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