What do you do if your emotions are overwhelming while delivering a motivational speech?

Well, I would say why not? Let the emotions add on to the weight of your speech. In fact, admit it - say that "this topic is really close to my heart and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed when I talk about it, so please bear with me here". Once you acknowledge and accept this, you can get these emotions out of the way and carry on with your speech.

Pause and Regain Composure: Take a moment to pause and regain control of your emotions. Breathe deeply and focus on grounding yourself in the present moment. Acknowledge your feelings without judgment, and allow yourself the space to process them before continuing with your speech.

Nombrar y verbalizar aquellas cosas que nos afectan es una gran práctica de salud emocional. Este ejercicio genera un efecto de relajación en la amígdala cerebral, reduciendo la tensión y generando una sensación de alivio que nos permite pensar y actuar con más tranquilidad. Dicho en otras palabras: "hablar sana y libera"

An ice-breaker in the form of a short story or a simple game (in which your audience participates) can be used to ease the tension and surge of emotions you feel. You can also be honest and tell a joke (tastefully and appropriately) about how you feel in that moment. Sometimes if your audience is very considerate, you may even get a voluntary round of applause from them in a bid to cheer you on. People tend to be more understanding than we sometimes expect. It will surprise you to know that many people in the audience know exactly how you're feeling in that moment and can relate.

JACKPOT! If you can FEEL with emotion the subject you're presenting, you're there! Go with it. Some of the most powerful moments I have experienced is when the speaker "cracked" and allowed the group in unapologetically. Putting your humanness on display for your audience takes courage, but it delivers your message with more punch and power than your words ever will.

Kelly mcgonigal, en la charla TED "Make stress your friend", nos ilustra cómo el estrés, si bien puede paralizarnos, también puede dotarnos de una increíble dosis de adrenalina para actuar con mayor lucidez y agilidad. Para que esto ocurra, la clave es lo que nos decimos a nosotros mismos en una situación que genera esta emoción. si por ejemplo nos decimos que la situación es "un gran problema", el estrés se traducirá en miedo y desesperación; si por el contrario nos decimos que "es un gran problema del que podemos sacar cosas buenas", es estrés nos dará un impulso para pensar y resolver la situación con mayor efectividad.

Reframe and Redirect: Reframe your emotions as a source of authenticity and connection with your audience. Instead of trying to suppress or ignore them, use them to infuse passion and sincerity into your message. Redirect your focus to the purpose of your speech and the positive impact you hope to have on your audience, allowing your emotions to enhance rather than detract from your delivery.

Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind and compassionate towards yourself, recognizing that it’s natural to experience emotions, especially when speaking on topics that resonate deeply with you. Offer yourself words of encouragement and support, and remind yourself that vulnerability can be a powerful tool for inspiring others. Trust in your ability to navigate through the emotional waves and deliver an impactful and authentic speech.

The best way is to come prepared. I'm not talking simply about knowing you topic and rehearsing your speech. Those things are good, but here's something else that will help you to deliver a brilliant speech nearly every single time. Create a 'future memory'. Your brain doesn't know the difference between what you have actually experienced and what you imagine vividly. Imagine your speech being a total success. Imagine standing ovations, people excited to learn more, and whatever else would give you a great feeling. Keep playing that image in your head until it feels completely real. Now, go and conquer that room!