Turn Stage Fright into Spotlight Power

"Welcome back! In today’s episode, I want to talk about something that almost all of us face when speaking in front of an audience — nervousness. Whether it’s your first time speaking or you’ve done it a hundred times, the nerves can still hit. But over time, I’ve learned how to deal with it. So, if you’ve ever felt that anxiety in your stomach before walking up to the podium, you’re not alone. Today, I’ll share with you my top tip for overcoming nervousness — a technique that’s completely transformed my speaking experience. Let’s get into it!"

Key Talking Points

1. Understanding Nervousness:

Before I share my top tip for overcoming nervousness, it’s important to understand what nervousness actually is. Nervousness is a natural response — it’s your body’s way of preparing for a challenging situation. When you’re about to speak in front of an audience, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode. Your heart races, your palms sweat, and your mind goes into overdrive.

This response isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it’s your body’s way of saying, “Hey, something important is about to happen!” But the key is not to let it take over. If we let that nervous energy control us, it can stop us from performing at our best. So, the question becomes: how do we manage that energy and transform it into something that works for us, not against us?

2. The Power of Reframing:

My top tip for overcoming nervousness, the one technique that has had the biggest impact on my speaking, is reframing how I perceive nervousness. Instead of seeing nervousness as something to be afraid of, I’ve learned to embrace it as a source of energy. The trick is to reframe the negative emotions we associate with nervousness and view them as something positive.

When I first started speaking, I dreaded the feeling of my heart racing and my hands shaking. But over time, I realized that this “nervous” energy is actually the same energy that helps athletes perform in high-stakes situations. That adrenaline rush you feel is your body getting ready to perform. It’s the same energy that fuels powerful speeches, quick thinking, and the confidence to stand in front of a room full of people.

So now, when I feel nervous, I say to myself, “This is energy. This is excitement. This is my body getting ready to do something amazing.” By reframing my nervousness as excitement, I shift my perspective from fear to anticipation. And that shift is everything.

3. Physical Techniques to Manage Nervousness:

In addition to reframing nervousness, I’ve also learned some physical techniques that help manage those nerves. Public speaking isn’t just about what we say — it’s also about how we carry ourselves. How we hold our bodies can make a big difference in how we feel.

Here are a few physical techniques that work wonders for me:

• Breathing Exercises: Deep breathing is a simple but incredibly effective technique. When I feel nervous, I take a few slow, deep breaths. This helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms your body and reduces stress. By focusing on my breath, I can bring my attention back to the present moment and calm my racing thoughts.

• Power Poses: This might sound silly, but it works. Before going on stage, I’ll often stand in a “power pose” for a few minutes. This means standing with my feet apart, shoulders back, and hands on my hips (think of Superman). Studies show that adopting expansive body language can actually boost your confidence and lower stress. So, I use this simple technique to boost my mental state before taking the stage.

• Shaking Off the Nerves: If I’m feeling jittery, I’ll take a few seconds to shake out the tension in my body. I’ll do a quick body shake or stretch to release the physical tension that builds up when I’m nervous. It sounds strange, but it helps loosen me up and shake off the feeling of being “stuck.”

These techniques don’t eliminate the nerves entirely, but they do help me regain control over my body and calm my mind.

4. The Importance of Preparation:

Another key to overcoming nervousness is preparation. The more prepared I am, the less nervous I feel. When I walk into a room to give a speech or a presentation, I know that I’ve done the work. I’ve crafted my message, practiced my delivery, and rehearsed the key points I want to emphasize.

The more I practice, the more confident I feel. And that confidence comes through when I’m speaking. When you’re prepared, you don’t have to worry about forgetting your lines or getting lost in the content. You can focus on delivering your message and connecting with your audience.

Here are a few things I do to prepare thoroughly for a speech:

• Write and Edit: I write down my key points and structure my speech logically. I also leave room for spontaneity and audience interaction. Editing my speech helps me make sure I’m not rambling and that every point serves my overall message.

• Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse: Practice doesn’t make perfect — but it does make you more comfortable. I rehearse in front of a mirror, record myself, and even present in front of a friend or family member. This helps me become more comfortable with my material, and it also helps me identify areas where I need to improve.

• Visualize Success: Visualization is a powerful tool. Before every speech, I take a few moments to close my eyes and picture myself delivering my speech successfully. I imagine the audience reacting positively, nodding, laughing at the right moments, and applauding at the end. This mental rehearsal builds confidence and reduces anxiety.

The more you practice and prepare, the less nervous you’ll be because you’ll have a clear game plan and a solid understanding of what to expect.

5. Positive Affirmations:

Another strategy that has helped me overcome nervousness is the use of positive affirmations. It might sound a little “woo-woo,” but I’ve found that telling myself positive statements can shift my mindset.

Before stepping up to speak, I remind myself of the following:

• “I am confident and capable.”

• “I have valuable insights to share.”

• “I am in control of my nerves.”

• “I am here to connect, not to be perfect.”

These affirmations help me stay focused and calm. They remind me that the goal is not perfection, but connection. By repeating these affirmations to myself, I rewire my brain to focus on empowerment rather than fear.

6. The Importance of Perspective:

One of the most powerful realizations I’ve had about overcoming nervousness is the importance of perspective. When we’re about to speak, it’s easy to focus entirely on ourselves — how we look, how we sound, whether we’ll make a mistake. But one of the best ways to reduce nervousness is to shift the focus away from yourself and onto your audience.

When I remind myself that the audience is there to hear my message and not to judge me, I stop worrying about how I’m performing. Instead, I focus on the value I’m bringing to the table. After all, the audience is looking for insights, inspiration, and ideas — they’re not concerned with how perfectly I deliver my speech.

Instead of focusing on how nervous I am, I think about what I can offer to my audience. I ask myself: “How can I help them? How can I inspire them? How can I make their day a little better with what I’m saying?”

By shifting the focus from yourself to your audience, you can stop the cycle of negative self-talk and turn nervousness into excitement about connecting with others.

7. Experience as a Confidence Builder:

Over time, I’ve realized that the more I speak, the less nervous I feel. Public speaking is one of those skills that improves with practice. Every time I step up to speak, I gain a little more confidence. That confidence doesn’t come from a lack of nerves; it comes from the experience of overcoming those nerves and pushing through them.

Each speech, whether it’s successful or not, becomes a stepping stone toward better public speaking. I’ve learned that nerves will never completely disappear — and that’s okay. But each time I face those nerves and get through them, I build my confidence and become more comfortable with the process.

Nervousness is something every speaker faces. It’s a normal part of the process. But with the right mindset and techniques, we can turn that nervous energy into a powerful force for good. By reframing nervousness as excitement, using physical techniques like breathing and power poses, preparing thoroughly, practicing positive affirmations, and shifting our focus to the audience, we can overcome the anxiety that often holds us back.

Remember, nervousness doesn’t have to be a barrier to your success. It’s simply a signal that you’re about to do something important. So,

embrace it, use it, and watch your confidence grow.

If you’ve found these tips helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment below, and share this video with others who might be struggling with public speaking nerves. Let’s all support each other in becoming more confident speakers!

"Thanks for tuning in! I hope this episode has given you the tools and the mindset to turn your nervousness into your superpower. Keep practicing, stay confident, and I’ll see you in the next one!