Let’s hear it for nerves!
I recently heard Sir Digby Jones being interviewed on BBC Radio 4. When he admitted that he still got nervouse every time he spoke he took a bit of a ribbing from interviewer John Humphries. Somehow people think that experienced speakers don’t get nervous. What a load of rubbish. Even the best speakers get nervous. The difference is that they know how to manage those nerves. One simple tip is to reframe or change the way you think about them.
- See your nerves as something positive – Remember that the symptoms of nerves are caused by adrenalin and that is a source of energy which can be utilised to enhance your delivery.
- Having nerves means that you care. If you don’t feel any nerves your speech will almost certainly be dull, boring and banal.
So next time you contemplate public speaking let go of your fear and welcome in those nerves. Imagine the energy coursing through your body and channel it into your voice, gaze and gestures and see it as a way of enhancing your connection with your audience.
