Reader,
No one is telling you this but...
These speaking anxiety techniques listed below are as effective as "ay" in "Okay"
Translation... not so effective and even counterproductive.
They will not help you break free from public speaking anxiety long term.
- Deep breathing
- Positive affirmation
- Thought stopping
- Taking medication
- Looking at someone who is comforting
Everything listed above does work but is like treating a medical condition that requires 'surgery' with a band-aid.
It might work all right, but only in the short term.
Let's dig into why.
Deep Breathing:
When you breathe you are regulating your heart rate and your hormonal release.
This will calm you down no doubt...
But it doesn't address the underlying anxiety triggers and patterns that make you (almost) throw up on stage...
So the next time it happens,
You will still feel the same emotions and butterflies in stomach because there is a trigger you are not addressing.
The trigger that is deeply rooted in your mindset and beliefs you formed when you were a kid or a teenager.
Positive affirmation:
It is said that when a pigeon sees a cat, it closes its eyes...
It applies here too.
I mean it's good to think positively...
But the flaw in positive thinking is that you still believe the negative one.
When you just think positive thoughts, you don't clear the negative ones and it's still there.
If you keep doing it, wouldn't it make you feel like an imposter?
Because deep down you still believe in the negative even more than the negative, but you're saying the opposite to yourself.
So...
Instead of just adding positive thoughts, focus on removing the root causes...
Limiting Belief Systems.
Once you do that, there's nothing wrong with reminding yourself about the positives.
Thought stopping:
Thought-stopping interrupts negative thinking...
Replaces it with positive thoughts but doesn't address underlying beliefs causing those thoughts.
The flaw in thought stopping is that you don't address the beliefs and mindset that is causing those thoughts...
Without tackling these deeper issues, it's like masking a problem without solving it.
Again, it's like treating it with a band-aid fix rather than curing it with surgery.
Beta Blockers:
Beta-blockers effectively block hormonal release (cortisol & DHEA) from adrenal glands, providing temporary relief from anxiety.
But they don't address the root cause of why you experience
overwhelming anxiety in the first place.
The question they never address is why those hormones got released in a particular proportion.
And is it even normal for those hormones to be released when giving a presentation or talk?
Additionally, there are side effects of using Beta-blockers long-term.
Looking at familiar face who is comforting:
This might also work but...
What if that someone comforting isn't there the next time?
You'll always depend on a crutch.
What you want to do is address the root cause of the speaking anxiety, so you do not need to depend on a friendly face being in the audience.
Before you leave,
Here's a bird's-eye view of how as a coach I'll approach overcoming your speaking anxieties both on and off stage.
Best,
Waqas - Head Speaking Anxiety Coach
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