Stage Fright; Friend or Foe?

I started speaking for at least part of my living over 30 years ago. I don’t have a recording of that first talk–it was in a country church back when cassette tape recorders were still new-fangled items, and I am honestly thankful it wasn’t preserved. If it had been, though, I’m sure a listener would detect a quavering in my voice as I delivered what was surely a forgettable performance.

Here’s a paradox: I quickly got used to speaking, and the nerves settled down. I have never gotten over being nervous. (A paradox just means that two opposing statements are both true.)

Here’s what makes this paradox possible: I learned that what I then called nerves is nothing more than energy. It’s adrenaline–souped-up fuel for the human body.

When you were in high school, you probably faced the big game or the big performance at least once. You couldn’t sit still, your stomach felt fluttery, you had to pace around, and you said, “Man, I’m UP for this GAME!!! I can’t WAIT to get out there, because I’m going to hit harder/jump higher/run faster/hit the basket better because I am PUMPED!” If you weren’t pumped, someone had the job of getting you pumped, because everyone knows you’ll do better pumped.

When I began speaking, I experienced that same physiology, labeled it “stage fright,” and considered it something to avoid. I soon figured out that not only was it the same as being “pumped,” it was also the same experience I sought when I rode the roller coasters at Opryland or Six Flags–and I didn’t have to pay for this adrenaline charge. In fact, other people would pay me to get it!

I’m glad to say that I still get pumped for delivering a speech. Last Wednesday I delivered a short talk to one of my Toastmasters clubs–not a paying audience, nor a threatening one (a highly supportive one, actually), but I still felt that rush of adrenaline, that feeling of my engine revving up.

I’m glad because it means I care about what I’m doing. I care about my topic, I care about my audience, and I care about the impression I create. If someone notices me not charged up in front of an audience, I hope he’ll tell me, because that will mean I’ve quit caring, at least temporarily, and I need to get off the stage.

The feedback I got Wednesday included lots of comments about looking completely comfortable at the lectern. If they only knew! But I’m not there to be comfortable. I’m there to be pumped, so I can help the audience get pumped for living.

What about you? Have you learned to channel your adrenaline into your delivery? Are you grateful yet for what others call nerves?