Speaking In Public? How To Avoid Becoming A Human Popsicle

Last week I coached a woman who was worried about some speaking she’d be doing at an important conference. To make her even more nervous, she only had 90 seconds.

She didn’t want to freeze up, sweat like a human sprinkler, or ramble on like that woman you try to avoid when you see her at Target.

When it comes to public speaking, you may think being spontaneous is a good idea. Perhaps you’ve been told you’re a good speaker. Or maybe you think prepping isn’t worth the time. 

But often, winging it ain’t the best option. Here’s why prepping is a good idea:

🤢 Knowing what you’re going to say is like having an invisible safety net. You’re much less likely to freeze. Or stammer. Or throw up.

👵 A speech without structure is like a road trip without GPS. You’ll eventually get somewhere, but it may not be where you intended. The folks listening don’t wanna go over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house. There’s a time for going off on tangents and that’s only when you’re talking to yourself. 

🥜 Practicing what you’re going to say is like rehearsing your lines for a play, and the show isn’t called “Umm...What Was I Saying?” The more you practice, the smoother things get. Like a fresh jar of Skippy.

In the end, preparation doesn’t just help you memorize facts and figures; it gives you a sense of control. And when you feel in control, you're less likely to become a human popsicle standing frozen in front of your audience. So, prep like your speech depends on it. Then, public speaking won’t feel like bungee jumping without the cord.

Public speaking can be nerve-wracking, even for the most confident individuals. So take some time to prep on your own or with a coach like me. You’ll feel better if you prep and your audience will thank you.

Thanks for reading! If you liked this article, please share it and let me know what you think in the comments. You can learn how to tell great stories at work to motivate and connect with your team too. I run "The Great Story Workshop" all over the U.S. and I'd love to help the leaders in your organization tell impactful stories. Please reach out to me here.

We've all felt like this before.