No Freaking Speaking: 3 Techniques for Managing Speaking Anxiety

We all experience nervousness when we speak. Learn 3 academically validated techniques for managing your speaking anxiety.

[roughryder]

I like this guy. This stuff is gold. I have a 5 min presentation tomorrow, and then a 20min presentation next week. Wish me luck.

[lerrlse]

Notes:
Technique 1: Greet anxiety and acknowledge that it's normal and natural to be nervous
Technique 2: Reframe as conversation, not a performance
- by asking questions and polling
- use conversational language
Technique 3: be present-oriented
- focus on the present but not the future
- e.g. count down, tongue twister
Thanks for the useful tips! I have learnt a lot from this video!

[syahirah]

1. asking questions beginning of the speech
2. be present, less worry about the future (listen to music, count backwards)
3. do tongue-twister
4. use conversational language

[esrathe-first]

7 years on from this video and I must say it is the best video I have watched. I'm a 40 year old autistic guy who has to speak tomorrow. I have been watching video after a video recently and this one is amazing. Thank you kindly 🙏🏽 🙏🏽 🙏🏽

[sibongiletasilaphiri]

3 key tips

1. Greet the Fear
2. Reframe the presentation to become conversation oriented
3. Become present eg through walks, musik, tongue twisters, etc

[gregsbrown]

One other thing I would like to recommend is that there are apps in virtual reality that help you with giving speeches. The apps have you present in different scenarios and it feels real. There are games like Horizon in oculus that give you a chance to talk in front of live audiences too. Both instances feel very real and it's a good way to practice. Once you do it a lot of times, you become more comfortable and you can train your brain to focus on your the information you're presenting rather than thinking of a performance.

[Divinii]

4:16-4:37 *Wow! Mind blown! So speaking is very different from a musical performance. It's ok to make mistakes.*

[EricELT]

Framing the presentation as conversation certainly helps, and starting with questions makes this aspiration a reality. Thanks for sharing this practical, often overlooked tip.

[yum]

i have an interview tomorrow wish me luck, thanks for the tips :)

[konyvnyelv.]

Seeing how people are afraid of public speaking makes me realize how lucky I am for not being interested in a career which involves it. I want to be archivist or librarian

[julesmartin]

Great techniques, definitely will try to think about it. In two days I will be presenting for 1.5 hours for 300 people since I will start teaching. Twice a week, for the coming 12 weeks.
I'm curious how it will evolve.

[koninginbox]

5:40 is the best tip Ive heard - write down questions you think your audience might have - and pretend you are having a conversation in which you are answering those questions.

[ameii]

I have a presentation in 2 days, and it’s my first time present a presentation, and kind of new world to me but what I found difficult is that breathing and talking at the same time. 😩
Thank you for the tips.

[frankc]

’ve developed severe anxiety when speaking not just to a group but one on one and it can be a spontaneous conversation in passing. This only happens in work settings. I feel like I can hear my blood flow, I’m trembling on the inside and I feel like I’m going to pass out. The last thing my anxiety does in help me focus. Most of these videos are geared towards public speaking to a group. This is not the case for me.

[chocpuddingg]

This is long ago but wish me luck on my Student Council speech!

[thatwickedsmahttraumachick]

I have to read my kid’s book on loss and grief to a crowd. Adults will be there. This video is better than the important parts of 5 years of videos. 👏

[AshwiniKondalakadu]

You are sooper good... Very effective speech 👏

[KiereJafarou]

One of the best videos l have watched about public speaking

[bernie]

Matte is effective in any topic he discussed. Thanks much. You sure are a BIG help.

[xiangningsu]

I love Abraham’ speech especially when I have a teaching presentation