In my experience, men go to far greater lengths to avoid what they fear than to obtain what they desire.

— Sir Leigh Teabing in The Da Vinci Code

Contrary to what most of us think, feeling nervous about giving a speech is not only normal but desirable. Channeled properly, nervousness can boost performance. Grammy-award–winning pop singer Adele has fought stage fright since age sixteen, using such anxiety-reducing methods as belly breathing to channel her nervous energy into powerful performances.¹ She’s learned to breathe with her diaphragm instead of her chest, a technique many people faced with delivering a speech find enormously helpful.

The difference between seasoned public speakers and the rest of us is that they know how to make nervousness work for rather than against them. This chapter introduces specific techniques that speakers use to minimize their tension.

I focus on the information. I try not to think about being graded. I also practice my speech a ton to really make sure I do not speak too quickly. I time myself so that I can develop an average time. This makes me more confident [in dealing] with time requirements. And, because I know that I am well prepared, I really try to just relax. — Kristen Obracay, student