In our Executive Seminars and presentation workshops, we hear some questions rather frequently. We're providing some answers to those public speaking FAQs.
"When I'm nervous, is it a good idea to imagine the audience in their underwear?"
Yes indeed, someone asks this in nearly every program we teach. It's tempting to respond with a quick and firm, "No!"
Some say the notion originated with Winston Churchill, who thought a naked audience was less intimidating. And when Jan on The Brady Bunch has public speaking nerves, Dad Mike tells her to take Churchill's advice. And it works for Jan.
But we do wonder: Has anyone really used this technique to calm their nerves? And if so, did it work? (Please let us know if it's worked for you. We're genuinely curious.)
We get the impulse behind the question. Public speaking nerves are unsettling for many of us. It would be terrific to think there's an easy way to make them go away.
And we're also firm believers in this: If something works for you, go for it.
Still, we're not recommending imagining the audience in their underwear to our students. We have other, potentially less distracting, suggestions.
Focus on the audience and your purpose
We do urge speakers to think about the (fully clothed) audience when it comes to managing nerves. When you can put concern for the audience ahead of concerns about yourself, you shift the focus to where it belongs—and you may very well feel less self-conscious in the process.
Even more important is to remember that you have a purpose for speaking. You have information that can help, or an idea you want to generate some enthusiasm for. When you can put your purpose in the forefront of your mind, you can become the servant of your message. That mindset seems to help every speaker we know get more comfortable with presenting.
Find your best ways to prep
Speakers often tell us they're nervous but when we ask how they prepare in order to manage nerves, many don't have much of a plan.
Start to consider what you can do in preparation that will help you feel more comfortable. It differs from person to person, but you might try:
- Rehearsing all-out in front of supportive colleagues (or your pets).
- Creating notes that help you easily recall what you want to say.
- Visiting the place where you'll present before the presentation begins.
- Checking out any technology in advance, so you eliminate one more reason to stress.
Make friends with that nervous feeling
Take comfort in the notion that most audiences want you to succeed and that feeling nervous is normal. All of us want to do well. Nerves are a product of that desire—a very positive desire, when you think about it.
Rather than trying the underwear trick, some speakers tell us they benefit from recasting their stage fright as excitement. It's still not a magic cure, but it does fit into our experience that changing your self-talk and your mindset can go a long way to helping you manage those nervous jitters.
LEARN MORE
For more on resetting your public speaking mindset, see this.
If you're from the "fake it until you feel it" school of thought, find our how-to guide for projecting confidence.
Understanding the source of your public speaking anxiety may help you manage it.
