How to Nail Your Speech (No Matter How Nervous You Are!)

Public speaking can make anyone nervous! Thankfully, you don’t have to let anxiety get in the way of what you have to say.

You’ll enable yourself to overcome your speech-related stress and deliver your message with both clarity and confidence if you: 

Breathe!

Focusing on the rhythm and quality of your breathing can help you mitigate speaking-related jitters. When you feel nerves, pressure, or stress beginning to affect you, pause to take six to ten deep breaths. Deep breathing can relieve physical tension, relax the hold stress has over your mind, and give you an opportunity to get your thoughts in order. 

Do Vocal Warmups.

Flubbing your words can interrupt and distract from your delivery (and detract from your message!). In the interest of avoiding verbal mix-ups, do vocal warmups prior to leading any meeting or giving any speech. Your voice is an important component of your ability to speak clearly; working it out will enable you to enunciate and express your ideas as clearly as possible. If you put effort into how you deliver your words, your team, clients, and peers will all have an easier time taking note of your useful, informative message.  

Address Stress Regularly.

If you’re experiencing high amounts of tension or anxiety on a regular basis, regardless of whether public speaking is on the horizon or not, it may be a sign that your mind and body would benefit from more self-care during the week. Unaddressed stress from any area of your life can make it more difficult for you to handle the pressure of any important or high-stakes situation such as speaking in public. To set yourself up for success and achieve your professional goals, make self-care a regular part of your weekly routine. 

Practice. 

The more you speak in front of others, the better the speaker you will become, and the less nerves you’ll experience. To overcome your anxiety and deliver the best speech possible, practice and prepare ahead of time. Run through your speeches and presentations at least a few times before sharing them with your intended audience. If possible, choreograph your body language to highlight parts of your speech; getting into the physical habit can also help you remember and get comfortable with your speech. Consider practicing in front of your mentors. They can lend their own tips and experience to help you get more comfortable with how you speak and what you intend to say. 

Don’t let anxiety stop you from pursuing and achieving your goals. More self-improvement and stress mitigation tips are available on the Syncis Money Blog today.