In 2009, Warren Buffett told a group of students that his greatest fear early in life was public speaking. He was so anxious about it that he dropped a speaking course before it even started. But eventually, he forced himself to go back and complete it.
Years later, he said that the most valuable diploma in his office was from that public speaking course.
That’s the key: action changes fear.
As psychologist George W. Crane observed, “Motions are the precursors of emotions.” You might not be able to change how you feel on command, but you can decide how you act. And that, in turn, changes how you feel.
Actors know this. So do experienced speakers. They don’t wait until they feel confident. They lean into the moment. And the confidence follows.
So next time you’re nervous before a talk, don’t wait for the nerves to pass. Take the first step. Start speaking. You’ll feel the shift.
Timeless Presenter, my new book on the principles of communication that never expire, will be released soon.
If you’d like to be notified when it’s out, you can join the early access list here.