How to manage stage fright? Framework to manage stress in public speaking

Why do you stress before public speaking? Have you ever asked yourself this question?

If you are not besties with stress yet, you can start working on establishing a long-term friendship with stage fright by asking yourself these questions and answering them honestly. Working on stress is rather a marathon, not a sprint. Familiarizing yourself with relaxation techniques, methods of dealing with stress, and understanding the reason behind stress will be complementary to this framework and will help you to tackle stress in a more complex way.

Why do I stress before public speaking?

What scares me most about speaking in front of an audience?

What does stress take away from me?

What does stress protect me from?

What benefits do I have thanks to stress?

What can I do to decrease my stress level?

Conclusion

If you embrace stage fright as a natural response to excitement, it can shift your mindset and allow you to make use of its energy to enhance your public speaking rather than hinder it. Also, deep breathing and mindfulness techniques serve as powerful tools to manage stage fright because they help you stay present and focused on your delivery rather than succumbing to anxiety. Remember that rehearsing and step-by-step exposing yourself to various presentations and audiences can desensitize the fear associated with stage fright, building resilience and confidence over time.