Speak Clear Blog

Performance Artist Maria Abromovic talks about CONCENTRATION.

Jeffrey Davis is the owner of Speak Clear Communications. He is an executive public speaking coach and accent reduction coach in New York City.

Many of my clients often ask me what to do when their hands start shaking during a speech. Often, this can create a lot of embarrassment on the part of the speaker, thus amplifying the symptom. The speaker’s thoughts begin to race “Oh my God, I’m falling apart”, “Everybody knows I’m nervous!”, “I want to jump out the window!”. OK maybe that last thought is a little extreme, but you get the point. Whether it’s red cheeks, a shaking hand, or a quivering voice, physical symptoms of tension can create a cycle of tension and judgement. How do you get off the wheel?

As always, acceptance is the key. First, keep in mind that often our perception of our verbal and physical tics is amplified and intensified during speaking, and is not accurate. That shaking hand may seem like a turbine in your mind, and a gentle fan in the minds of the audience! Try to keep things in perspective.

Second, be aware that what we resist persists. If you think your shaking hand is noticeable, try denying or fighting it and see what happens! Just give yourself the thought “there is no such thing as a perfect speech” and march right into that tension. Yes my hand is shaking! Yes my face is red! Yes my hair is standing on end! Whatever it is, remember that the moment is here, and the moment is all, so accept. Nothing is ever gained by resisting while speaking. If you are really bold, try making a joke out of it, “It’s hot out, so I thought I might bring a fan”, or “..now as you can see in this slide, the net profit numbers are highlighted in red, not unlike my complexion”. Be creative. Use humor. Always, always use what is coming at you. Johnny Carson was good when he was on, but he was great when he was off. He stayed in the moment.

Jeffrey Davis is the owner of Speak Clear Communications. He is an executive public speaking coach and accent reduction coach in New York City.

If I had to name the topic that comes up most in my coaching sessions with public speaking clients, it’s public speaking anxiety. I make a good living from this fear! Statistically speaking, most people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of death, which means that most of us would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy. So what gives? How do we learn to manage this massive fear?

The first step is to give up trying. That’s right, give up. A speech is not a worksheet, it is not a project deadline, it is not a task to be completed, it is a living breathing thing. It is you; your ideas, your stories (hopefully), your point of view. Why would you feel perfectly relaxed? You are sharing you, and if you are sharing you, you shouldn’t feel perfectly comfortable. Yes ladies and gentleman, a great speech requires breathing through the discomfort, breathing through the fear…acceptance, not denial of the fact that you are vulnerable. It is only when we resist this reality that public speaking anxiety becomes a problem.

So let go of your desire to ask “why am I feeling this way?” and embrace “I accept the challenge of making my thoughts, feelings, and creativity known.” You won’t feel perfectly relaxed, but you will give a fantastic speech.

Jeffrey Davis is the owner of Speak Clear Communications. He is an executive public speaking coach and accent reduction coach in New York City.