10 Tips For Public Speaking: Tip #5 Relax, Nerves Are Normal [E084]
Thank You To Our Partners AutoFlow, Shop Dog Marketing, In-Bound
In our episode today:
I tackle Toastmasters' tip number five: "relax." Spoiler alert - that's not actually helpful advice. You can't just relax on command any more than you can tell an angry customer to "calm down" and expect it to work.
Instead, I'm reframing this tip entirely:
Nerves are normal. Expect them. Understand them. Don't fight them.
I walk you through why nervousness happens - it's your body's fight-or-flight response doing exactly what it's designed to do, even though you're facing a room full of colleagues, not a predator. Your heart races, your mouth goes dry, your voice shakes, and sometimes your mind goes completely blank on material you know cold. I've experienced it myself, even after six and a half years of Toastmasters.
I tweaked the, now familiar, APAC framework to be…. (Acknowledge, Probe, Answer, Continue) … the C is usually ‘Confirm’, I explain what's actually happening physiologically and why about 74% of people experience speech anxiety.
While nerve effects diminish over time with practice, you can also take heart that most of what you feel internally isn't nearly as visible to your audience as you think.
So you have nerves.
Good.
Speak up with NERVE!
Word of the Day: Equanimity - Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in difficult or stressful situations. You can feel your heart racing before a presentation and still speak with equanimity - the nerves don't have to shake your composure.
Sincerely,
Craig O'Neill
Thank You To Our Partners AutoFlow, AutoLeap, Shop Dog Marketing, In-Bound
AutoFlow at AutoFlow.com. Your partner in technology, Autoflow consolidates your client interactions - before, during and after the visit to a single thread. Learn more at Autoflow.com
Shop Dog Marketing at Shop Dog Marketing.com. "Want to see your auto repair shop thrive? Let Shop Dog Marketing be your guide. Our customer-first approach, combined with AI-driven creative content, ensures top rankings.
In-Bound at CallInBound.com. Cover your communication needs and revolutionize your auto repair business with AI-driven call analytics from InBound.
Contact Information
- Email Craig O'Neill: speakup@craigoneill.net
- Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters
The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/
Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/
Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
