Nerves Don’t Silence Stories

𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐮𝐩: 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫’𝐬 𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐱 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐞𝐬, 𝐈’𝐦 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐬.
About 75% of people experience some level of anxiety about public speaking, it even ranks higher on the fear chart than heights, spiders, and death.

As a kid, I’d craft my own homemade podium and lecture my sister with all the passion and volume of a Southern minister. I’m sure my speeches were mostly about the rules of sharing a bedroom together.

Despite this early enjoyment, I still get nervous every time I step on stage.

Last year, that nervousness hit a whole new level as I prepared for 𝐦𝐲 𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐱 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤. I had to level up fast because I knew the message of affordable housing deserved to be heard. I didn’t want to flop. I wanted to deliver something so personal and potentially impactful for others.

Now, as I get ready to 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫’𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤, I’m reminded that every time we speak whether to one person or one thousand, it’s an opportunity to connect and to grow.

Here’s what I've learned:
🎤 Research your audience and venue
🎤 Practice, practice, practice
🎤 Take four deep breaths before starting
🎤 Cut filler words - tools like Yoodli help analyze ways to improve
🎤 Admit when you don’t know something
🎤 Keep showing up

Each of us has a story to tell and insights to share.
Don’t let hesitation keep you from stepping up.