You're facing stage fright during an impromptu speech. How can you maintain composure and project confidence?

Start by taking deep breaths to calm your nerves before you begin speaking. Focus on positive self-talk, reminding yourself of your expertise and preparation. Structure your thoughts quickly by outlining your main points in your mind, focusing on a clear beginning, middle, and end. Use body language to convey confidence: stand tall, make eye contact, and use gestures to emphasize points. Embrace pauses when needed, allowing yourself time to think and the audience to absorb information. Finally, remember that it’s okay to feel nervous; channel that energy into your enthusiasm for the topic, which can enhance your delivery.

As an international and TEDx speaker, I understand the grip of stage fright. When anxiety strikes, our breathing often becomes shallow, exacerbating the nervousness. To combat this, I've found deep, abdominal breathing to be a powerful tool. Inhale slowly through your nose, filling your belly with air, and exhale fully through your mouth. This technique not only calms your nervous system but also ensures your voice remains resonant and steady. Deep breathing signals your body to relax, allowing you to regain composure and deliver a confident presentation. It's a simple yet effective way to ground yourself and set the stage for a poised and impactful performance.

I believe visualization is a potent weapon against stage fright. Before stepping into the spotlight, close your eyes and mentally rehearse your performance. Envision yourself speaking with confidence, connecting with your audience, and witnessing their positive reactions. This mental rehearsal creates a positive expectation, priming your brain for success and reducing the anxiety of the unknown. It's about replacing fear with a clear image of triumph, boosting your confidence and empowering you to embrace the stage with poise and conviction.

One thing that helps me is gazing around the room and making eye contact with audience members as if I'm having a conversation with only them.

Humor is overrated. What will get you in the groove of developing an idea without time to prepare is a story. Some stories are funny, but some are heartwarming, or infuriating, or terrifying, or cautionary. Check research from Melanie Green about how stories persuade, from Avi Kluger about how stories capture listener attention. If you set your sights on humor, you're more likely to go for laugh lines or setup-punch jokes, and the problem with those is that a truly effective one is the only thing your audience will remember from your talk. You might think making them laugh is the only way to break the tension and ease your nervousness, but getting going on a story you know well, because you lived it or have told it a lot, works even better.