As an experienced voice and communications coach, I can tell you I am always more concerned about the client who admits to NEVER getting nervous!   

Being nervous removes complacency, keeps you focused and ultimately leads to a more energised, more engaged communication. 

When we try new things, when we make changes, we will always experience nerves.  

People who do the same thing every day, who are afraid to try new things probably do not suffer from nerves. They don’t experience nerves because they never actually challenge themselves to be greater.   

Nerves will always be present when you are “playing bigger” in your life, achieving something more.   The key is how to control them.

"The day I lose my stage-fright is the day I will stop acting."
— Sir Laurence Olivier

No one really wants to hear this, but if you want to build speaking confidence — you must hear your words aloud, you must get them out of your head. 

Speaking is a physical action and the muscles which make words need to be used. 

You need to live and breathe these words. 

To do that, first you need to stop doing three things:

1. Stop going over stuff in your head looking at slides

2. Stop thinking you don’t need to rehearse aloud — you do!

3. Stop saying you don’t have time or I’d be too embarrassed

I always ask clients, "How important is this to you?"

The answer is usually, "Olivia, it’s really important….!"

If that's the case, then there’s no magic wand.

Get up and get speaking aloud until you embody your content.

I am not saying you need to learn it as a script - but you do need to be very familiar with what you are saying.

We encourage clients to rehearse aloud at least three times — standing up, as you drive to work, moving about, whatever works for you.

But the words need breath and life before you share them in the real event if you are to master vocal gravitas. 

There is no quick win with this.