Tremble… Trembling…
Shaky, shaky… Shake, shake.
Mic drops from hand—Tanggg! A loud, piercing noise echoes through the room. Silence ensues.
Standing there, aghast. Panicked.

Ever experienced it? I have. I’m talking about one of my stage experiences—not a very pleasant one.

Why Does It Happen?

The simple answer: “Fight or Flight” mode activation.

In uncomfortable, nerve-wracking situations, our brain instinctively tries to protect us by triggering the fight-or-flight response. We either run from what feels undesirable or prepare to fight through it. But when we force ourselves to stay in place, despite our brain screaming Run!, the result? Trembling. Uncontrollable.

How to Stop It?

Let’s get to the heart of the matter. Our hands and legs shake while speaking—sometimes, even our insides feel like they’re trembling. That’s because our brain perceives public speaking as undesirable, even though we so badly want to stand there, fearless and confident.

So, how do we align our desire with our brain’s belief?

By following these three steps:

1. Familiarize your brain with public speaking, the stage, and the crowd.
2. Practice repeatedly.
3. Use self-affirmations and belief:
   “I am an expert in this. I can do it!” (Very important!)

Step 1: Making Your Brain Accept the Act

The first step is training your brain to feel at home on stage. We need to convince it that being in front of a crowd is okay, that standing in the spotlight is normal. Once your brain stops perceiving public speaking as a threat, the fight-or-flight response won’t kick in so aggressively.

This takes time, but one powerful trick is to express your love for the spotlight every single day. Stand in front of a mirror and say:

🪞 “I love public speaking. I love being in the spotlight. I want it!”

Before a speech or presentation, try these calming techniques:

• Get a feel for the stage and visualize your audience.
• Take 10 deep breaths to circulate oxygen and energize yourself.

Step 2: Repeated Practice

You’ll see this advice everywhere. Why? Because it works.

Remember what Bruce Lee said?

“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”

Confidence doesn’t come from talent alone—it comes from repetition. The more you practice your speech, the easier it becomes. When your brain thinks, I know this inside out. I could do it blindfolded, the trembling will fade.

Step 3: The Mantra of Self-Affirmation

Words have power—the power to create, define, and transform. Self-affirmation is the ultimate confidence booster.

Every morning, find a quiet space. Focus inward, or meditate (check this link for meditation tips: ___). In that meditative state, tell yourself:

🧘‍♂️ “I know what I’m doing. I am an expert. I have practiced this many times (for real). I am unstoppable. If there’s one person who can do this, it’s me.”

Repeat this for one to two minutes. Feel the words. Let them sink in. It works wonders—boosting your confidence, making you feel alive. And a confident, alive speaker? They ace every stage.

Final Words

My friend, you will ace it. Now go—own that stage! 🚀