Kill Those (Public Speaking) Nerves in 3 Simple Steps

Happy 5 December, darling!

If you are celebrating Sinterklaas tonight or if you aren’t, I hope you have a lovely evening regardless. May people honor you with poems and gifts, tonight and every night.

I’ve been working with some truly inspiring public speakers lately. These are people who are known for moving mountains with their words. And guess what? They all get nervous before doing so.

Most people don’t realise that when you see someone speaking in public, you’re seeing just the tip of the iceberg. There are hours and hours of preparation that go on (hopefully!) behind the scenes. People don’t realise how deep that iceberg goes. I’m honored to be a part of that training for many people. I love helping people feel fabulous when it comes to sharing and shaping their stories.

Dealing with nerves are a big part of this.
Of course many people get nervous before speaking in public. This means that you care. If you didn’t care, you wouldn’t get nervous. So it’s a good thing. How you DEAL with nerves is the secret to success. Do you let yourself drown in them? Do you let the dragon that lives inside you, feeding off your fear, take over? If you can master your nerves, you can master anything in life.

Here are 3 concrete tips for dealing with nerves:

1. B-R-E-A-T-H-E. Breathing makes all the difference. If you breathe too high up in your body, this could lead to anything from hyperventilation to a panic attack. If you breathe too high, you are creating (and often trapped in) that “fight or flight” hormone which comes from increased stress levels. If your exhale is longer than your inhale, it’s nearly impossible for your body to make this hormone. I’ve been doing yoga for nearly 8 years and have seen what breathing techniques have done to my system and my lifestyle – they are game changers for me.  The one that works the best for me (and many of my clients) is this one: Try it and let me know how it goes!

2. GET GROUNDED: Many people feel shaky, both emotionally and physically, before they talk. I get that. However, if you feel grounded, it will help you feel balanced and centered. Try this. Imagine that under your feet are HUGE pillars made of stone. They are heavy and wide. They go down deep, all the way to the other side of the earth. They support you when you stand. And, because these are Magical Buffiland Pillars they also have magnets on them which means they are attached to the soles of your shoes. (Which also have magnets in them. Yes, it works that way in Buffliland.) Every step you take is supported by these huge, strong pillars. Stand on them and feel the support they provide. Feel that energy coming up through your knees, your hips, your belly, your shoulders, your neck. Relax your arms. Know that you are supported. Do you feel a difference? You should! 🙂

3. AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Just before you get on stage, take a moment of silent appreciation to realise just how lucky you are to be able to share your story with others. You have a gift for your audience- your present(ation)! How lucky they are to hear your story. And they could have asked anyone else. But no. They asked you. And that means something special. Take a moment to exhale fully, slowly, and low (from your belly button down) and truly appreciate how lucky you are that you have been given the opportunity to do this. YESSSS!!!

I hope these 3 concrete tips help you to feel more confident when it comes to dealing with nerves. I use them on myself and with my clients and am truly delighted with the results.

Let me know if they work for you!

With love,
X buffi