Take the fright out of public speaking! In this special Halloween-themed Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams brings together top tips from past guests to help you face your stage fright and keep communication nerves from getting the best of you. With the right strategies, managing presentation anxiety can be as easy as ABC.
Drawing on advice from previous episodes of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt breaks down the ABCs of Communication Anxiety:
• Affective effects of anxiety: How anxiety affects our emotions and how to manage those feelings when speaking, with Christian Wheeler and Kelly McGonigal.
• Behavioral effects of anxiety: How anxiety manifests in our bodies and practical ways to manage those physical responses, with Andrew Huberman and Jeffrey Pfeffer.
• Cognitive effects of anxiety: How anxiety influences our thoughts and how we can shift our mindset, with Alia Crum and Alison Wood Brooks.
With a better understanding of the ABCs of anxiety and your own Anxiety Management Plan, even the scariest speaking situations can feel more manageable. You'll be better equipped to face your fears, build confidence, and communicate with greater competence and credibility.
Key Quotes
• “There's nothing wrong with being uncomfortable. The problem is with your discomfort at being uncomfortable.” — Christian Wheeler (03:43)
• “What I have come to value about anxiety is it's a sign that I care. So, you know, for example, when I start to feel anxious now, I will say to myself, my heart is in it.” — Kelly McGonigal (04:28)
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:41 Managing Negative Feelings
04:07 Reframing Anxiety
05:03 Managing Physical Symptoms
05:40 Breathing Techniques
06:25 Physical Strategies for Anxiety
07:30 Warming Up to Speak
08:31 Managing Your Mindset
11:02 Turning Anxiety Into Excitement
12:20 Creating an Anxiety Management Plan
14:33 Testing and Refining Your Plan
15:22 Conclusion
Episode References:
18. Managing the Moment: How to Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable.
Website: https://www.fastersmarter.io/18-managing-in-the-moment-how-to-get-comfortable-with-being-uncomfortable/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY_CBKOaUW8
69. Feeling Nervous? How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication
Website: https://www.fastersmarter.io/69-feeling-nervous-how-anxiety-can-fuel-better-communication/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X6purBMt2M
66. Rethinks: Lessons from Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman to Help You Hack Your Anxiety.
Website: https://www.fastersmarter.io/66-best-of-lessons-from-neuroscientist-andrew-huberman-to-help-you-hack-your-speaking-anxiety/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT-aalZM9WY
34. How We Gain — Or Give Away — Authority While Speaking
Website: https://www.fastersmarter.io/34-how-we-gain-or-give-away-authority-while-speaking/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0IY106JWLA
40. Mindset Matters: How to Embrace the Benefits of Stress
Website: https://www.fastersmarter.io/40-mindset-matters-how-to-embrace-the-benefits-of-stress/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfGfvk3AIO8
73. Listen Up: Why It’s Better to Be Interested Than Interesting
Website: https://www.fastersmarter.io/73-listen-up-why-its-better-to-be-interested-than-interesting/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWKDhXiOjco
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