It’s opening night.  I am standing in the shadows in my sturdy high-heels, nylons, and silky blue dress.  Waiting.  I am watching the stage manager introduce the show, reminding everyone to turn off their phones.  But I am certain that the only thing the audience can hear is the sound of my heart beating like a dark drum.  I look down at my chest expecting to see the fabric exploding with each thump.

I have done as much preparation as I can possibly do.  I take a few deep, calming breaths.  I remind myself that all of my monkey-mind thoughts are irrelevant.  Thoughts about expectation and who is in the audience and what if I forget my lines and what if I look ridiculous and what if I humiliate myself?…Read on.

Some of us may be tempted to take a beta blocker, a shot of booze, or a gummy to help with public speaking anxiety.  Before we do, please consider the audience and the right they have to a great talk.  The drug may dampen our own anxiety, but it may also dampen our performance.  There are certainly other ways to manage our anxiety that do not hurt our delivery.

I work from the premise that when a reaction is caused by a thought, it can be managed by an action.

I worked for several months with a brave soul who had taken a strong stand against the unethical practices of the company for which he had worked.  His talk preparation progressed beautifully until a few days before when he showed up to rehearse.  His words seemed labored and leaden; his speech was…Read on.