I call it the “Why the heck am I doing this?” feeling.

The feeling that would appear when it was dangerously close to presentation time. These used to beat the hell of out me.

It would start about two hours before I knew I’d have to give a speech. I’d question it all. What was I thinking agreeing to speak? Why am I doing this again? Then this beauty, “Did I forget about some prior engagement that might help me weasel out of this? Think dammit, think!” I never did.

This is probably the most difficult time in a speaker’s life. It’s as if the confidence hormone depletes and you’re left an empty Coke can. It’s stressful. I recall my mind being completely maxed out. Body tense. Terribly difficult to focus on anything BUT my presentation. Just thinking about it makes me cringe.

Take heed. That feeling doesn’t have to continue to eat you for breakfast.

During those episodes, it’s necessary to act. Zero in on your “why.” Quickly. The “why” varies from person to person. What’s yours?

It boils down to this: A goal or reason why you’ve decided to dip your face into a bowl of boiling lava—to get up and speak in front of your fellow humans.

Think about it. There’s gotta be a reason why you’d leave the comfort of the tribe to venture outside. But instead of hide, you return to collide. Or at least that’s what you feel inside. Dang, all poetic and stuff.  

(Note…It can sometimes feel like you’re colliding, but public speaking is not actually confrontational. It’s more of a collaboration between you and the audience, with you as the facilitator of an idea or a message.)

Are you speaking to share a passionate idea of yours? To promote your business? Must you give a presentation for work? Perhaps your “why” is to not get fired. Narrow in on it. Do you just want to challenge yourself? Own it then.

This technique was truly effective in shaking off the pre-speech “I’m screwed” feeling. It gave me a place to focus my thoughts and energy instead of them being carried away by panic. Don’t let your thoughts drift; give them a chore and keep them engaged.

Get down and dirty with your WHY. It’s there. You just have anchor yourself to the present long enough to focus on it.

And then go out and do your best and forget the rest. [Bonus Rhyme!]

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