Are you breathing?

"Nervous is like excited without the breathing." – Elizabeth Salazar


When I teach workshops, people often tell me they hold their breath when they're speaking in public.

It's a common reaction when you're nervous, but it's not doing you any favors.

If your voice is quivering, if your hands are shaking, if you're running out of breath when you talk, you need to breathe. 

Try this:

  1. Plant your feet on the floor

  2. Pause

  3. Breathe

  4. Don't start talking until you feel the ground underneath you.

If you don't feel the floor, keep breathing!

Imagine what would happen if you made this switch and added some breathing to your nerves?

Get more tips to confidently articulate your ideas in my Forbes article: The Introvert's Guide to Public Speaking.

And remember to keep breathing.

Madeline Schwarzpublic speaking