Which ones are you making?

Biggest Mistakes Professionals Make in Public Speaking

You’ve probably heard all kinds of advice about being more confident when you speak in front of others and overcoming your speech anxiety.

Well, many of these so-called answers don’t work, and some can even make things worse!

By understanding these common pitfalls and focusing on what does work, like Speak with Confidence, you can develop a more effective plan to tame your fears and enhance your public speaking confidence.

Let’s break down the biggest mistakes people make when speaking and why each doesn’t work.

Telling Yourself to "Just Relax"

What It Is: Trying to force yourself to relax before or during a speech.
Why People Use It: They believe that consciously telling themselves to stay calm will reduce their anxiety.
Why It’s Counterproductive: Relaxation isn’t something you can force—trying to relax can actually increase stress when it doesn’t work, leading to even more frustration.

Memorizing Your Speech Word-for-Word

What It Is: Relying on exact memorization rather than understanding the core message.
Why People Use It: They think memorization prevents mistakes and boosts confidence.
If you forget even one word, it can cause a mental freeze, making it harder to recover. Memorized speeches also sound robotic and unnatural, preventing real audience engagement.

Imagining the Audience in Their Underwear

What It Is: Trying to make the audience seem less intimidating by picturing them in a vulnerable or silly way.
Why People Use It: They think it will reduce intimidation and boost confidence.
Why It’s Counterproductive: Instead of helping, this method distracts you from your speech and makes it harder to genuinely connect with your audience.

Avoiding Public Speaking

What It Is: Steering clear of speaking situations whenever possible.
Why People Use It: They believe avoiding speeches will prevent anxiety.
Why It’s Counterproductive: Avoidance reinforces fear—the longer you avoid public speaking, the scarier it becomes. Over time, your brain starts associating public speaking with danger, making it even harder to face.

Practicing Without Speaking Out Loud

What It Is: Rehearsing a speech silently in your head instead of speaking it aloud.
They assume mental rehearsal is enough to prepare for delivery.
Why It’s Counterproductive: Silent practice doesn’t prepare you for the physical experience of speaking, including breath control, pacing, and voice projection. When you finally speak, it may feel unfamiliar, triggering more anxiety.

"Taking the Edge Off" with Alcohol or Medication

What It Is: Drinking alcohol or taking beta-blockers before speaking to reduce anxiety.
Why People Use It: They see it as a quick fix to numb their nerves.
Why It’s Counterproductive: While it might provide temporary relief, it prevents you from developing true confidence and can impair clarity, focus, and memory. Relying on substances prevents long-term improvement and can even lead to dependence.

Overloading Yourself with Tips & Tricks

What It Is: Trying to apply every public speaking technique at once.
Why People Use It: They believe using more strategies will give them better control over their fear.
Why It’s Counterproductive: Overloading with techniques divides attention, making it harder to focus on delivery. Too much advice can lead to paralysis by analysis, causing even more anxiety.

Rushing Through Your Speech to "Get It Over With"

What It Is: Speaking as quickly as possible to minimize time in the spotlight.
Why People Use It: They think finishing faster will reduce discomfort.
Why It’s Counterproductive: Speaking too fast increases physical anxiety symptoms, reduces breath control, and makes it harder for the audience to understand.

Faking Confidence Without Addressing the Fear

What It Is: Pretending to be confident instead of working on the root causes of anxiety.
Why People Use It: Someone once told them, "Fake it 'til your make it."
Why It’s Counterproductive: Presentation is a skill, and if it’s not well-developed, listeners will notice. They may feel you're being insincere and be less likely to engage with your message.

And, Worst of All, Thinking Speech Fright Will Go Away on Its Own

What It Is: Believing that fear of public speaking will fade naturally over time.
Why People Use It: They hope experience alone will eliminate their anxiety.
Why It’s Counterproductive: Speech fright doesn’t disappear without active effort—without proper techniques, it can persist or even worsen over time.

So, What Does Work?

You’ve seen how common strategies fall short for ambitious professionals facing high-stakes presentations. Trying to suppress nerves or just preparing more doesn’t address the core pressures like fear of evaluation, perfectionism, or managing physical symptoms when everything is on the line. It doesn’t increase your confidence.

So, now that you know what doesn’t effectively work in gaining confidence overcoming speech fright in your professional life, it’s time to explore what does—and it might surprise you.

Instead of trying to fight against your rapid heartbeat or force a confidence you don’t truly feel, Speak with Confidence leverages a counterintuitive, yet highly effective, approach: transforming fear into executive presence using the power of mindfulness. That’s what will increase your confidence.

A Practical Skill for High-Pressure Environments

Mindfulness in this context isn’t about emptying your mind or passive relaxation. It’s a practical skill for high-pressure environments. It’s about becoming fully present in the moment.

Crucially, it’s about learning to strategically use your energy to enhance your performance. By learning to embrace, rather than avoid, nervous energy, this method allows you to find detachment from the grip of your fear. Your anxiety won’t magically disappear, but you will gain freedom from its control, allowing your expertise and message to truly shine through.

Speak with Confidence offers a structured, practical approach specifically designed for busy professionals to rewire your response to speaking anxiety. Through simple, proven mindfulness techniques, you’ll learn how to neutralize the fear cycle, shift from panic and self-doubt to presence and poise, and develop a natural ease when speaking in front of clients, executives, or large audiences.

Instead of ineffective quick fixes that leave you still searching online for tips before the next big meeting, this method helps you cultivate a greater sense of confidence and calm leading to more confidence.

It allows you to finally speak with the clarity, power, and executive presence needed to win business and advance your career.

Maximize your impact: Unleash your full professional potential and let your expertise lead.
Command composure under pressure: Effectively manage physical symptoms and calm your nerves in high-stakes situations.
Gain a winning edge: Consistently deliver presentations that engage clients, build credibility, and secure successful outcomes.
Confidently take the spotlight: Stop avoiding high-visibility opportunities and embrace them as pathways to career advancement.

Ready to transform your public speaking from a source of anxiety into a powerful tool for professional success?

Speak with Confidence offers a structured, mindfulness-based approach to help you conquer anxiety and speak with the executive presence your role demands. Join countless other professionals who have unlocked their full potential and now engage their audiences with clarity and confidence. Start your journey today and embrace the art of influential public speaking.

Dr. David Lee Fish

a performance anxiety expert with a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, combines academic rigor with personal experience to help individuals overcome stage and speech fright through his acclaimed 5-Day Stage Fright Solution, harnessing the proven power of mindfulness.

Dr. David Lee Fish, a respected authority on performance anxiety, has dedicated his expertise to helping individuals overcome the needless menace of stage fright and speech fright. Five years ago, he channeled his know-how into The 5-Day Stage Fright Solution, a book that garnered widespread acclaim and enthusiasm. The success has inspired Dr. Fish to develop a new online course based on the same revolutionary method, offering a beacon of hope and empowerment to those grappling with performance anxiety.

The 5-Day Solution harnesses the simple, effective, proven power of mindfulness, a unique aspect of Dr. Fish’s approach that sets it apart. It underscores Dr. Fish’s commitment to practical and accessible solutions.

Dr. Fish’s long tenure as a professor at Catawba College in North Carolina was marked by a steadfast commitment to empowering performers and public speakers to conquer their fears as key to maximizing their full potential.

With a Ph.D. in musicology from the University of Michigan, Dr. Fish combines academic rigor with a practical, hands-on approach. He has authored numerous articles and presented at national conferences on topics related to performance anxiety, offering strategies proven to alleviate stage fright and speech fright. This academic background instills confidence in his clients, knowing they receive the highest level of expertise.

Dr. Fish’s interest in performance anxiety is not just academic; it’s deeply personal. Having grappled with anxiety as a performer and public speaker, he understands the struggle firsthand. This personal journey fuels his passion for helping others overcome their stage and speech fright, and his empathy and understanding make his clients feel supported and hopeful.

Dr. Fish’s expertise has been recognized in the media, where he shares his knowledge on overcoming performance anxiety. His compassionate and practical approach has transformed the performance experiences of numerous individuals, solidifying his position as a trusted authority in the field.

Praise for the 5-Solution book

The book version of Dr. Fish’s 5-Day STAGE FRIGHT Solution has received high praise for its practical tips and effective techniques in tackling the fear of public speaking (performance anxiety). Reviewers appreciate it’s wide applicability, the engaging writing, and the way the book addresses the root causes of stage and speech fright with proven solutions.

“When I was younger, public speaking was one of my greatest fears! I wish I had this resource back then.” —KC

This self-help book resonates with a lot of people who struggle with stage fright. A great read!” —AL

It was like this book was calling out to me!” —DB

“A book that covers an important part of today’s life where people need to express themselves to succeed. Has come in handy in my life.” —AK

“A great do-it-yourself book that can help anyone with anxiety.” —SH “Really helpful for my peer interactions and work.” —SH

“Stage fright could destroy a career at some point, hence, I’m going to recommend this to anyone I know sufferingfrom it.” —NG ‘

“I love that it gets to the root of the problem.” —KR “highly recommended to everyone who wants to improve themselves for public speaking and doing presentation be it in university or at work.” —MK

“Author David Lee Fish, Ph.D. comes to this brief but impressive self-help book on overcoming stage fright with excellent credentials.” —BL

“This book is really helpful and real. It helps me overcome my nervousness on stage.” —GC

“Helpful in any situation you have to stand/sit before people you don’t know to perform.” —LJ

“Useful to everyone, especially students having their thesis defense and reports.’ —RI

“I feel like this book is for me. It can still help me and everyone else who has to confront his emotions on stage.” —LU

“Written by an authority is something that cannot be missed.” —MC “This book could help millions, even me.” —KM

“A wonderful book that is timely and helpful not only to me but to all.” —AN “A must-read for all those people having stage fright.” —PM

“Wonderful and useful for a lot of people that struggle with stage fright.”—MS “Engaging and funny.”—RG

“Wow as in wow!”—JG

“Very helpful in preparing students to face oral examinations.” PR “Just what I needed.” —NC

“Very timely, just the book I was looking for.”—ZH “A great present for a recent college grad anxious about interviewing for jobs.” —AS

“This book is filled with so many amazing tips that I can look back on my experience now and feel silly about all of the mistakes I made and the simple solutions I could have used.” —JP

“Identifies the root of stage fright and eliminates it through the author’s personal experience, professional knowledge, proven and tested solutions, and clearly defined techniques.” —MM

“Incredibly written with good tips on stage performance and public speaking.” —LI

“This book could help in many situations, not just public speaking!” —PM

“Want to get over your horrible fear of public speaking? Get a copy of this book.” —BG

“I know this can be a lifesaver for many of you out there! Grab yours now!” —SM

“A really helpful book for those who have anxiety when speaking in front of many others.” —RB

“I suggest you read this nonfiction masterpiece.” —SK

“Almost everyone has to deal with stage fright and this book is a perfect one to deal with it.” —SA

“A great self-help book for those who experience stage fright or insecurity when addressing a group of people. Thanks to the author!” —TA

“You can now cope with nervousness when speaking in public with the help of this book! Get your copy now!” —AM

“A remarkable book offering precious advice and strategies to help us cope with one of the things that make most humans nervous. You can learn how to relax not letting your nerves get the best of you from this book.” —KC

“When you read this book, you will achieve your full potential as a performer or a public speaker.” —BP

A very interesting book that will help you overcome stage fright.” —KK

“A great source for people who suffer from anxiety.” —TR

“A well-written book that will help you overcome stage fright.” —RW

“This book could help in many situations, not just public speaking occasions.” —RA “

The cover is hilarious but with a serious message for many people.” —IA