3 Tips to Stay Grounded When You Speak

Years ago, my spouse Jon and I traveled to Napa Valley for a vacation.  One of the things I wanted to do was ride a hot air balloon over the valley to get a bird’s eye view.

Jon wasn’t excited about this idea.

He didn’t love being super-high in the sky with only the protection of a small bucket.

He was worried about letting go of control and placing his safety into the hands of one engineer.

He hesitated at the thought of getting up really early and riding with other strangers.

Jon experienced fear of the new and unknown.

After some cajoling and encouraging, he welcomed this unique experience and found delight in the majestic views, including a gorgeous sunrise.

How did he overcome his fear and agree to ride in the hot air balloon bucket?

How did he become untethered from the fears of the unknown?  

Overcoming the unfamiliar when stepping on stage to speak can be scary and overwhelming, but it can also be invigorating too.

Here are 3 Tips to Guide you to Being More Centered When You Speak

Tip 1: Where is your mind?  What are your thoughts saying to you?  

Are your thoughts saying…

I’m not a speaker?
I can’t do this.
What if the audience doesn’t connect with me and my ideas?

Instead of thinking this negative dialogue, shift your self-talk and see the future experience differently.  Then, speak about it to yourself in a whole new way.

Say instead…

I am a speaker.
I can do this.
I connect with this audience.

Tip 2: Conduct a body scan.

How do you feel?

What is your body saying to you, and how is that linking to your thoughts?

Take a beat and breathe slowly in the through your nose and out of the mouth to calm your nerves.

Scan your body again.  Match the picture of yourself doing well with the feelings of your body.

Tip 3: Trust.  

Trust the technology will work.  Trust the space will work out.  Trust the audience.

Trust yourself.  You got this.  

Now, present your message untethered from your fear.