Nix Nerves: Pro Tip 4

Pinpoint the root cause of public speaking nerves

What are you actually afraid of? That’s a great question to ask yourself.

Are you afraid of going blank and forgetting what to say? That’s a legitimate cause for
concern.

Are you afraid of looking bad in front of your colleagues? That’s a legitimate cause for
concern.

Are you afraid the technology isn’t going to work? That’s definitely a legitimate cause for
concern these days. (It happened to me last week in Alabama.)

Are you afraid of a certain critical audience member who may be out to get you? That’s
a legitimate cause for concern.

The good news is: for all of these genuine causes for concern, there’s a proactive
solution. Take the time to ask yourself, “Why exactly am I so nervous?” Pinpointing your
root cause can lead you to a tangible solution.

Speaking of nixing nerves, these high school juniors weren’t nervous at all about their recent Speak Tank presentations at the Montgomery Youth Tour. They exuded energy and creativity as they took the stage and amazed their peers.