How to Handle Stage Fright

These tips are primarily addressed to newer ministers, but there may be a pearl of wisdom or two contained in them for even the seasoned ones.

1. Dress comfortably in clothes you like and feel good in. It’s important to you psychologically to feel confident with the way you look. As someone said: “You can’t lead a cavalry charge if you think you look funny sitting on a horse.” You need to think you look like a seasoned presenter.

2. Be well-prepared. Don’t wait until the last minute to put your talk together. Rehearse several times. Program your mind with your material to the point that you can give your presentation regardless of what might happen.

3. Remember your message. When you believe you have something important to share with your congregation, it’s easy to get excited about what you’re going to tell them. When you focus on your message, you likely will forget about yourself.

4. Take several deep breaths. The increased respiratory rate we usually experience as a result of stage fright can cause lots of problems. Not only do we run out of breath every few words, we also lack the support necessary for good vocal projection. Breathing deeply breaks this cycle and has a calming effect. A good approach is to breathe from the diaphragm in on a count of four, hold your breath four counts and breathe out on the word “easy.” This can be done while you are seated in front of a room full of people.

5. Move around. This releases nervous energy and restores a feeling of calm. If you are waiting in the wings to go on, take some large, brisk steps and flail your arms around. If you’re seated on the dais, of course, you can’t move much, but you can take advantage of your walk to the speaker’s stand. But what if suddenly you start getting nervous in the middle of your talk? Find an excuse to make large arm gestures, move away from the lectern, sip a glass of water. If you’re trapped at the speaker’s stand by a mike you can’t move, ask a rhetorical questions and move while you’re giving the listeners time to think of the answer.

6. Picture yourself as doing well. Use positive mental imaging. See yourself in your mind’s eye walking to the speaker’s stand, speaking to a warm, responsive listeners. See how well you’re doing. Hear your words flowing without hesitation. Hear the laughter of the listeners, see tears in their eyes as they are moved by your words, experience their enthusiastic applause after you are finished. See yourself as successful and run several replays of your success.

7. Make no negative confession. Whatever you do, don’t say, “I know I’m gong to blow it,” or “I’m so nervous, I’ll never get through this.” Remember, thoughts are things.

8. Gain confidence by doing. Practice makes perfect and success builds on success.

9. Remember, your congregation wants you to do well. They are in your corner!

10. Come to terms with the fact that if you are going to be a speaker, you’re going to make mistakes – just as you will if you type or do anything else. But a mistake needn’t be fatal. If you learn to laugh it off and let your congregation enjoy it with you, it can become a bridge to better rapport.

11. Pick out friendly faces and make brief eye contact with them. An encouraging expression on a listener’s face can do wonders to promote confidence.

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