65TH Issue of Newsletter

Free Your Voice from Speaking Anxiety

You know, Reader

Your speaking nerves make you respond in 2 ways?

1. The response we all know very well is called Threat Response and
2. The response no one would tell you about is called Challenge Response.

Wanna know how to differentiate between both if you're having one before or during your next talk or presentation?

Let's dig.

First off, as the name suggests Threat Response is triggered when we feel threatened...

No brainer, right?

This is also commonly known as the Fight-or-flight Response that our ancestors developed to survive against threats when living in caves.

For instance...

In situations where our brain detects immediate physical or emotional harm, Threat Response signals the entire body to prepare us for self-defense by fighting or fleeing the situation altogether.

Picture this in a speaking situation:

When we are about to stand up and give a talk or presentation to an audience, this kind of response will make us feel extremely self-conscious and defensive...

Because deep down we have limiting belief systems and mindset that control how we live our lives.

Belief systems → Thoughts → Emotions/ Feelings → Behavior (Our Lives)

An example:

Self-limiting beliefs such as...

I'm not good enough, I'm not smart enough, I'm not important, what I have to say is not important, I'm a failure, I'm an imposter, I'm a loser, no one wants to listen to me, I'm boring, etc.

Other limiting beliefs might include...

Showing nervousness in front of others is bad, speaking nerves are bad, audience will reject me if I make a mistake, public speaking is scary, showing vulnerability on stage is bad, everyone is judging me negatively, etc.

As a result of these limiting beliefs and the resultant Threat Response, we feel...

• like an imposter
• lack of self-confidence
• exposed and vulnerable
• defensive and self-protective
• feelings of anxiety and overwhelm
• avoidance and self-sabotaging behavior
• filled with self-doubt, frustration, and hopelessness

Following a Threat Response to stressful event, our senses get hyper-focused in detecting signs of threat...

either physical or emotional threat.

In public speaking situations, we might feel MORE anxious and nervous to the signs that might indicate...

• audience are judging me negatively
• they are bored (when someone yawns or uses their cell phone)
• they are disappointed in me
• etc.

This in turn leads to a vicious anxiety cycle that feeds on itself resulting in more anxiety, feelings of threat and in extreme cases panic attacks.

After a stressful event, such as speaking in front of an audience...

Threat Response rewires and strengthens the connections between parts of the brain that detect threats and trigger fight-or-flight to protect us.

On the contrary...

Challenge Response is the kinda response that primes you for success...

It makes your heart beat faster and with vigor to send more blood to your body and brain so they can function at their absolute best and result in peak performance.

It makes adrenal gland release more of the good hormones into your system.

It makes you feel excited, energized, confident, and superhuman.

Challenge Response to stress makes your brain and body use all resources at your disposal and achieve tremendous physical and mental powers that are not accessible otherwise.

It is responsible for:

• your premium athletic performance in sports
• your superior problem-solving ability at work (and during exams)
• your enhanced ability to focus and think faster
• your confident appearance on stage
• in short, your "superhuman abilities" under any stressful situation.

Challenge Response is the one we want to tap into when we want to be at the best level possible.

Following a stressful event...

This response makes you RESILIENT under stress by rewiring and strengthening the connections between parts of the brain that suppress fear, self-doubt and makes you confident.

Once you tap into the Challenge Response to speaking nerves, there is no stopping you...

not only on-stage but also off-stage.

And it's ONLY POSSIBLE after uncovering and eliminating limiting beliefs about your self-esteem, public speaking, and your speaking nerves.

Hope it makes sense?

Reader,

Which response do you often experience in your public speaking situations?

-Waqas

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