Because I have a long commute to work, I listen to a lot of audiobooks and podcasts. At least when I don’t have the Hamilton soundtrack on repeat again. One of my favorite podcasts is Dr. Brené Brown’s “Unlocking Us.” In it, she talks with some of the major writers and thinkers of our day. And she usually ends with a series of rapid fire questions. One of those questions is about facing your fears. She asks: “You are called to be very brave, but your fear is real, you can feel it in your throat, what is the very first thing you do?”
Public speaking consistenly falls at or near the top of fear lists. So it’s something we talk about frequently. Today we’re going to look at a few ways that Brown’s guests responded to this question about fear. Perhaps one of these strategies will help you. Or perhaps it will simply help you to know that really smart and successful people like these have to face their fears, as well.
Breathe & Focus on Others
Dr. Clint Smith, author of How the Word is Passed, responded to Brown’s question like this: “I take a deep breath and I think of all of the people who came before me who did brave things, who did unimaginable things, even when they didn’t know if they would see the fruits of their labor or of their effort, but who did it anyway. And who did it because it would help somebody and build a better world for somebody who they might never meet.”
Interestingly enough, on their episode of the podcast, Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce D. Perry gave answers about taking a deep breath as well. So this breathing thing is really, really important. In fact, scientists tell us it is the fastest way to put the brakes on that natural fight-flight-freeze adrenaline response. So in the face of fear, breathing fully, deeply, and slowly is one of the best things you can do.
But Dr. Smith has another great tip for us. Not only does he focus on the people who have come before and have been brave in the face of much more difficult things, he also focuses on the way that he can help others if he fights his fear. If you are giving a presentation that can truly help others or as Smith says, can “build a better world,” that knowledge should help to motivate you beyond your own self-perceived limits for the sake of others.
Just Start
Singer, songwriter, activist, and author Brandi Carlisle gave a simple, but effective piece of advice in response to Brown’s question about facing your fears. She said, “Do it anyway.” It’s true that we can get stuck in those terrifying moments between agreeing to do something and actually doing it.
This reminds me of a time when I went to a high ropes course with some of my friends. A couple of us in the group opted to conquer the “leap of faith” obstacle. We had to climb up something that looked like a telephone pole, stand on the top of the pole, and then jump nearly 5 feet out to try to grab a trapeze bar dangling in mid-air.
One of my friends climbed to the top of the pole. And then she froze. She wouldn’t climb back down and she wouldn’t make the leap. For almost 30 minutes we talked to her and encouraged her. Finally, she somehow got unstuck in her brain and her body. She made the leap.
I was in line after her, so when she reached the ground and made her way back over to our group, I asked her what happened and if she had any advice for me before I climbed up. She said, “just don’t stop. Once you get up there, just jump. It gets worse the longer you wait.” In other words, taking extra time to think everything through might keep you from doing what you are capable of doing. So, just jump.
When it comes to presentation anxiety, these pieces of advice on facing your fears are highly applicable. And they only take a few seconds. In the moments you are moving to the front of the room or taking the stage, you can call upon them to give you strength. Breathe. Think of others. And just start.
For more information on how to conquer your public speaking fear or take your presentation to the next level, get in touch with us now.
