Managing Anxiety

“Whatever you fear holds no power, it is your fear that holds the power.”-Media Mogul, Oprah Winfrey

Positive Self-Talk:

Exchange the words of “nervous, scared or frightened” with “excited”. 

The same feelings that you feel when you are about to speak in public are the same feelings that you might experience when you are about to jet off to the Bahamas, see an old friend or board your favorite ride at Six Flags.

It’s all in what you call it!  Be positive and say “I am excited about delivering my presentation!”

Keep a funny word, sound or name of person handy to give yourself a quick laugh right before you present.

Reframing:

Put the presentation into perspective. 

This will probably not be the last presentation that you will ever present in your lifetime. 

Also, there may be other speakers presenting on the same day that you are.  Or at the very least most of people that you will be presenting to, have felt the same “speech anxiety” that you are experiencing.

You are fortunate enough to be able use your voice and body, where they are many others that physically cannot.

Visualization:

See yourself doing well on the day of your presentation.

Visualize the room, a receptive audience, surrounding, what you will be wearing, and where you will stand.

Dream of a “happy place” where you feel loved, warm, supported and loved on the day of your presentation.

Feel free to borrow one of mine such as lying out in the sun under a palm tree facing the blue ocean with a margarita.

Return to Jobs in Communication