5 Tips to Crush the Fear of Public Speaking

Public speaking might make your heart race, but with the right tricks, you can turn that anxiety into pure confidence. Here are five actionable tips to help you own the stage and speak like a pro:

1. Breathe Deep, Speak Easy
Breathing is your secret weapon to calm those nerves. Focus on deep, belly breaths instead of shallow chest breaths. This keeps you grounded and in control before you hit the stage.

Try Box Breathing:

• Inhale for 4 seconds

• Hold for 4 seconds

• Exhale for 4 seconds

• Hold again for 4 seconds

Repeat a few times, and feel yourself calm down instantly.

2. Pump Up the Energy with Music
Need a confidence boost? Crank up your favorite hype playlist before you speak. Music shifts your mood and gets you in the groove. Think of it as your personal soundtrack for success.

3. Flip Your Self-Talk
What you tell yourself matters. Ditch the negative thoughts like, “I’m going to mess up” and replace them with, “I’ve got this. I’m ready.” You control the narrative in your head, so make it one that powers you up, not pulls you down.

4. Visualize Like a Boss
Take a few minutes to meditate or visualize success before your talk. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and see yourself delivering your speech flawlessly, with the audience hanging on your every word. Picture the applause—it’s yours.

5. Create a Mantra and Own It
Create a fun mantra to repeat before you speak. Make it powerful, like:

“I’m confident, prepared, and ready to shine.”
“I inspire, I lead, I deliver with ease.”

And most importantly—practice! Rehearse until the nerves fade and confidence takes over. Speak in front of a mirror, friends, or even record yourself. The more you practice, the more natural it feels.

With these tips, you’ll go from shaking to shining. It’s all about mindset and preparation—so go crush it!

“Confidence isn’t something you wait for—you create it with every breath, practice, and mantra."

– Karyn  Suarez