Routines To Follow Before A Big Speech

I've delivered 500+ keynotes. Here's a pro-tip for speaking/presenting. Your pre-performance ritual isn't optional. It's essential. The difference between good and transformational always comes down to those final 15 minutes. HERE'S MY NON-NEGOTIABLE RITUAL: T-minus 30 minutes: Tech check complete. No more logistics. T-minus 15 minutes: Complete isolation begins. This is when I start programming my nervous system for peak state. T-minus 10 minutes: Active preparation. I pace backstage, repeating my opening lines until they're cellular: "Change itself has changed..." "When we think about transformation..." "Let me tell you about the moment..." T-minus 5 minutes: Full state activation. No conversations. No distractions. Just presence. Why this matters: Your opening determines everything. If those first 30 seconds land perfectly, you're in flow for the entire presentation. If they don't, you spend 10 minutes trying to find your rhythm. THE SCIENCE: Your prefrontal cortex can hold 7±2 pieces of information. Your opening sequence needs all of that bandwidth. A "quick chat" deletes 3-4 of those slots. Now you're on stage trying to REMEMBER your opening instead of BEING it. FOR SPEAKERS/PRESENTERS: Protect your ritual. Write it into your contract: "15-minute isolation period before stage time required for optimal performance." This isn't being difficult. It's being professional. FOR THOSE HIRING SPEAKERS: Want maximum impact? Give us space to create it. We're not being antisocial. We're preparing to transform your audience. Think of us like athletes before a game or surgeons before surgery. The ritual isn't preference, it's preparation. THE FRAMEWORK: 1. Decide your optimal activation time (10-30 minutes) 2. Communicate boundaries clearly and early 3. Design your ritual for YOUR nervous system 4. Practice until it's automatic 5. Never apologize for protecting your performance Your boundaries aren't limitations. They're the architecture of excellence. What pre-performance ritual would unlock your next level?

From being a stammerer filled with stage fright to delivering 100+ speeches in 4 years! Here are 10 things I did to train myself to be the best at it: 🎤 Practice Small Chunks: Break your speech into smaller sections and practice each part separately before combining them. This makes it easier to remember and reduces anxiety. 🎤 Record and Review: Record your practice sessions using your phone or a camera. Reviewing these recordings helps identify areas for improvement and track progress over time. 🎤 Gradual Exposure: Start by speaking in front of a mirror, then progress to speaking in front of a small group of friends or family, and gradually increase the audience size. This helps build confidence step-by-step. 🎤 Use Flashcards: Write key points or parts of your speech on flashcards. This helps you stay on track during your speech and reduces the fear of forgetting your lines. 🎤 Join Speaking Clubs: Participate in public speaking clubs like Toastmasters. Regular practice in a supportive environment helps you gain confidence and receive constructive feedback. 🎤 Practice with Distractions: Train yourself to stay focused by practicing your speech in environments with potential distractions, such as a noisy room or with background music playing. 🎤 Mirror Neurons: Watch videos of great speakers and try to mimic their body language and speaking style. This activates your mirror neurons, helping you learn by imitation. 🎤 Mindful Breathing: Before speaking, take deep breaths in for a count of four, hold for four, and exhale for four. This helps calm your nerves and centre your mind. 🎤 Positive Visualization: Spend a few minutes each day visualizing yourself giving a successful speech. Picture the audience applauding and yourself speaking confidently. This mental rehearsal can boost your confidence. 🎤 Use Technology: Utilize speech practice apps that provide real-time feedback on your speaking speed, volume, and clarity. This helps you adjust and improve your delivery. When I learned these lessons, I realized that public speaking wasn't something to fear but something to celebrate. To be able to reach more people and create a long-lasting impact! So, if you're struggling like I was, start training your brain. It's not easy, but it's worth it. ❤️ #publicspeaking #growth #communication #softskills

Confession: I'm a nervous public speaker… (yet I’ll make $1M+ from keynotes this year). Here are 9 strategies that turned my deepest fear into a powerful strength: PHASE 1: PREP WORK Strategy 1: Study the Best. We have the world's best speakers at our fingertips. Use them. Find 3-5 speakers you admire. Watch their talks on YouTube at 0.75x speed. Take notes on their structure and pacing, voice modulation, movement and gestures, audience engagement. Strategy 2: Create Clear Structure. Great speakers don't deliver speeches, they tell stories. Map your journey explicitly: opening hook, 3 key points, memorable close. Tell the audience where you're taking them. Strategy 3: Build Your "Lego Blocks." Don't memorize your entire speech. That's a trap. Instead, perfect these moments: your opening 30 seconds, key transitions, punchlines and closers. Practice in segments, not sequences. When things go sideways (they will), you'll adapt instead of freeze. Weird trick: Practice once while walking or jogging. It simulates the heart rate spike you'll feel on stage. PHASE 2: PRE-STAGE Strategy 4: Address the Spotlight. The Spotlight Effect: We think everyone's watching our every move. They're not. Use the "So What?" approach: Name your worst fear, ask "So what if it happens?", realize it's never that bad. You'll stumble? So what. Life goes on. Your family still loves you. Strategy 5: Get Into Character. Create your speaker persona. Ask yourself: What traits do they have? How do they move? What's their energy? Flip the switch. Become that character. It's not fake, it's your best self. Strategy 6: Eliminate Stress. The "Physiological Sigh" kills anxiety fast: Double-inhale through your nose, long exhale through your mouth, repeat 2-3 times. Science-backed. Immediate impact. PHASE 3: DELIVERY Strategy 7: Cut the Tension. Last week, they asked what song I wanted to enter to. I said "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys. They thought I was joking. I wasn't. "It's my 1-year-old's favorite song. Figured he'd be more excited to watch if Dad entered to his jam." Instant laughter. Tension gone. Audience on my side. Find your tension breaker. Use it early. Strategy 8: Play the Lava Game. Your pockets and torso are lava. Don't touch them. This forces you to gesture broadly, open your body, project confidence. Big gestures early build momentum. Strategy 9: Move Purposefully. Don't pace like you're nervous. Move like you own the room. Slow. Deliberate. Purposeful. Use movement to create dramatic pauses. Let your words land. Start with one speech, one strategy: Pick your next presentation—could be a team meeting, a toast, whatever. Choose ONE strategy from this list. Master it. Then add another. Public speaking is a muscle. These strategies are your workout plan. The more you practice, the stronger you get. Remember: Everyone gets nervous. The difference is having a system. Now you have one. Use it. Practice it. Watch yourself transform.

After seeing me give a keynote last week in Seattle, a client asked me for my go-to stage prep tips—a question I get asked often this time of year. (Yes, even the most practiced public speakers still actively prepare for getting on stage. There’s no autopilot button for this!) Here’s what I shared with her: Physical Prep— >> Breathe: Diaphragmatic breathing. In through your nose, fill your belly, exhale slowly. It centers your body and gets your mind focused. (Also calms jitters). >> Posture: Stand tall. Feet shoulder-width apart. Chest open. Shoulders relaxed. Helps project confidence… and helps you physically own the space (think Executive Presence). >>Chew gum: Yes, really. Chew gum before you get up there. Releases tension, reduces dry mouth. (Just be sure to spit it out before you start speaking!). Mental Prep— >> Reframe nerves: Instead of “I’m nervous,” tell yourself “I’m excited.” That adrenaline? Let it FUEL you. >> Visualize success: Picture yourself delivering your message with confidence. Imagine the audience responding positively. Set the tone before you even start. >> It’s not about you: The key. Focus on them, not you. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about making a connection with the audience. Shift the spotlight to them in the first 20 seconds by asking a question or inviting them to move their body. You’ll get a second to catch your breath and actually take in the stage, lights, and audience at hand. One last thing? Thank the backstage crew for all their help. Because having a working mic and flattering lighting really matters—and you most definitely couldn't do that part without them.

I’ve already posted my five big “don’ts” for the hour before a keynote address. Here are five habits I follow instead - the things that genuinely help in the hour before you present. 1. Do a slow physical reset. Shoulders down, jaw relaxed, deep breaths. It tells your nervous system you’re safe, and your brain follows. 2. Walk the room if you can. Check the stage layout, stand at the back and look at the stage you’re going to be on. Take the stage and get a feel for the acoustics (and definitely ask them to set the lighting as it will be when you talk - I wasn’t able to do this recently and there was one badly adjusted light blinding me for the whole speech!). Familiarity dulls anxiety. 3. Run your opening line once out loud - but just once. A clean, confident start sets the tone for everything that follows. 4. Visualise the audience reacting well. Smile as you imagine them applauding. It shifts you out of fear and into purpose. 5. Remind yourself why you’re there. Not to impress. Or to just survive. But to help the audience learn something useful. What’s your advice to stay in the best frame of mind in the lull before you go on stage?

I was standing in front of 5,000 people and said, “Good morning, so happy to be here —” And my voice cracked. It came out raspy, high-pitched, and weak. I was out of breath. My voice quivered. It took me five painful minutes to find my vocal stride. Here’s the truth: You can have the perfect words, but if your voice sounds tight, breathy, or shaky (hello vocal fry), your charisma disappears. And a bad vocal first impression? You almost never recover from it. That’s why I now do a 5-step vocal warm-up before every meeting, presentation, or speech where I’ll be speaking for more than a few minutes. Here’s the one I use (and you can too): The 5-Step Vocal Warm-Up 1. Loosen Up + Shush Shake out your shoulders, relax your neck + jaw, and take deep belly breaths (shoulders stay down, hands on belly like it’s a balloon filling with air). Then exhale like a librarian “shhh.” Pump the shush to wake up your diaphragm and lungs. It takes ~1 minute. 2. Tongue Trills Yes, it sounds silly. But rolling your R’s (brrrrr) loosens your tongue. Do it descending, then ascending (repeat 5 times each). 3. Hum It Up Hum low and high to warm up your vocal cords. Keep your jaw and cheeks loose, don’t press your lips. Hold it, then go up and down. Do ~5 reps each way. If you’re speaking in the morning, this is essential. 4. Chant Start with a hum, then open into: “Me, My, Mo, Mu.” Go up and down until your sound is clear and resonant (not raspy). 5. Pronounce Add crisp consonants for clarity: “Ma-Pa-Ta, Ma-Pa-Ta.” Open your mouth wide, exaggerate sounds. Repeat 5-10 times. In less than 5 minutes, you’ll sound clear, confident, and powerful. Check out this video to learn more vocal warm-up exercises: https://lnkd.in/gh4jzfEG

20 years of stammering. 7 Ted Talks & Over 1,00,000 professionals trained later - Let’s skip the fluff. This is everything I know about public speaking. Not from theory but from life, from watching people speak and not get what they deserve. From helping them fix it. Call it a blueprint. Call it a cheat code. Or just save it and come back when you’re tired of being ignored in rooms you deserve to lead. Let’s start with this - Public Speaking doesn’t start when you take the mic. It starts way before that. It starts the moment you wake up and think “Shit, I’ve got a presentation today.” So here’s how I’d walk you through it if we were grabbing coffee: ☀️ Morning of the big day? Don’t rehearse in your head right away. First, move your body. Stretch. Get some oxygen in. Because your voice is not just in your throat, it’s in your breath. And if your body’s tight, your voice will be too. 🧠 Next: Mindset. I’ve seen too many people ruin a great talk because they spent all morning trying not to mess up. Forget that. Ask yourself this instead: “Who needs to hear what I’m about to say?” Say it out loud. Anchor into that. That’s your real WHY. 👔 What should you wear? Something that makes you feel like you’ve already won. Not something you hope will impress them. Trust me, when you feel good in your skin, it shows in your voice. 🚶♂️Walking into the room? Don’t tiptoe in like you’re sneaking into class late. Walk like you belong. People decide how to treat you before you even speak. Let them decide well. Now, here’s the speaking part broken down like I explain it to my clients: 1. Stop obsessing over fancy slides. Start with the one thing you want them to remember, then build backward. 2. Drop the “corporate voice.” & speak like you talk to your friends. Clarity + authenticity beats formality. 3. Nervous? Good. Breathe deeper, start slower & let your body catch up to your brain. 4. Don’t shout to sound confident. Use your voice like a highlighter - slow down, drop tone, pause. 5. Tell real stories because a moment they can feel > a metric they’ll forget. 6. Don’t scan the room. Hold eye contact for 2–3 seconds, make them feel seen. 7. Use your hands, it makes you look alive, not rehearsed. 8. Don’t memorize. Rehearse the flow, not the script! Most importantly? Don’t end your talk wondering, “Was I good?” Ask: “Did they feel something?” Because that’s what they’ll remember. P.S. I teach all of this (and more) in my Sunday masterclass - https://divasgupta.in/Li But honestly, even if you never join, take this post seriously. I built it from scratch, brick by brick, after years of stammering and silence. And if it helps even one person walk in, speak up, and own their story - It’ll be worth it. #PublicSpeaking #Communication

The first time I gave a public talk, my hands were shaking so badly that the front row could literally see my paper notes trembling. This was back in 2018, my very first meetup talk. I was terrified. The room went completely quiet… the kind where everyone’s holding their breath, feeling sorry for you. Someone near the front gently said, “Hey, you don’t have to be so nervous. You've got this.” I’ve never forgotten that moment. And here’s the truth even now, I still get nervous. Every. Single. Time. The first few minutes are always the hardest. But over time, I’ve figured out how to get through those first 2 minutes so they don’t get the best of me. Here’s what helps: ✅ 1. Rehearse like you’ll actually be there Say it out loud. Stand up. Move your hands. Wear the shoes you’ll be in. It sounds silly, but it makes a huge difference. Practice until it feels like second nature. ✅ 2. Nail your first 60 seconds Memorize your opening. Know it so well that it flows even if your brain is freaking out. A strong start gives you momentum and calms the butterflies. ✅ 3. Picture it going well Right before I step up, I close my eyes and imagine it going smoothly, clear words, steady voice, maybe even a little applause at the end. It’s like a mental dress rehearsal, and it works. ✅ 4. Breathe low and slow Your breath affects everything: voice, focus, presence. Slow, deep breathing brings you back to center. ✅ 5. Shift the spotlight Most nerves come from thinking, “What will they think of me?” Instead, I ask: “What does this audience need from me right now?” When I focus on the message, not myself, it all gets easier. Also, two game-changers for me: 📌 I ditched paper notes. 📌 And I avoid handheld mics whenever I can (a headset mic = freedom + easier breathing). So no, I haven’t “overcome” the nerves. But I’ve learned how to move through them without letting them stop me. Got your own go-to trick for calming nerves before a talk or important meeting? Drop it below, someone scrolling today probably needs to hear it. #presentationtips #publicspeaking #speaker #leadership #personalbranding

Confidence doesn’t mean no fear. It means you speak even when you do feel fear. Over 75% of professionals experience public speaking anxiety. But the best leaders don’t eliminate fear — they master it. Here are 7 steps to control public speaking anxiety in 2025 ⬇️ (So you can speak with calm, confidence, and command.) 🔹 1. Reframe Anxiety Instead of: “What if I feel anxious?” Say: ✔️ “My body is getting ready to perform.” ✔️ “This energy means I care.” 🧠 Harvard research shows that labeling nerves as “excitement” improves performance without reducing arousal. 🔹 2. Use an Anchor Word™ Choose one word that reflects your confident speaker self: Command. Certain. Clear. Lead. Before you speak: ✔️ Say it silently ✔️ Breathe it in ✔️ Connect it to a time you felt powerful 🧠 This creates a shortcut in your brain to access calm on demand. 🔹 3. Map the Space Fear loves uncertainty. So eliminate it. If in-person: ✔️ Arrive early ✔️ Walk the room ✔️ Stand where you’ll speak If virtual: ✔️ Test lighting, sound, background ✔️ Practice navigating tabs 👉 Pro tip: Choose 3 visual landmarks to focus on during your talk. 🔹 4. Do a Bad Take on Purpose Before your real practice: ✔️ Mumble ✔️ Be awkward ✔️ Use too many fillers Then do a clean run. Notice the improvement. 🧠 This exposure method helps your brain realize: “That wasn’t so bad.” 🔹 5. Redefine Your Audience You’re not performing. You’re serving. Before speaking, picture your audience as: ✔️ Supportive teammates ✔️ Curious learners ✔️ Future collaborators 🧠 This shifts your mindset from fear to connection. 🔹 6. Activate Your Opposite Self (for 5 minutes) Before you speak, do the opposite of your norm: ✔️ Too soft-spoken? Be bold ✔️ Too stiff? Move freely ✔️ Too monotone? Exaggerate your energy Set a timer for 5 minutes. Then return to your natural self — more charged. 🧠 This breaks your usual pattern and gets your nervous system ready. 🔹 7. Create a Post-Speech Recovery Ritual™ After you speak: ✔️ Write down 3 things you did well ✔️ Play a power song ✔️ Ask someone: “What landed most for you?” 🧠 The brain encodes success immediately after stress — use it to reinforce confidence. Remember: Confidence ≠ No Fear Confidence = Speaking anyway Master these steps — and your nervous system will start working with you, not against you. ✅ Save this post ✅ Follow me for more actionable ways to: ✔️ Speak with executive presence ✔️ Get the job or promotion you deserve ✔️ Lead meetings like a pro ✔️ Stand out — without needing to be the loudest Your message matters. Let’s make sure the world hears it. #publicspeaking #executivepresence #leadership #careergrowth #communicationtips

“What if I lose my train of thought in front of the execs?” “Everyone’s going to see how nervous I am, aren’t they?” “What if I don’t sound confident enough to be taken seriously?” “What if I get one tough question and freeze?” “What if they already know more than I do?” “The moment I stand up there, what if my mind goes blank?” I’ve thought all of these before speaking in front of an audience. And yet, speaking in front of an audience is one of my favorite parts of my career. The stress isn’t a sign something is wrong; it’s a sign that what I’m about to do matters. When you know you’re going to speak in front of a crowd, your preparation isn’t just about your slides or what you’ll say. It’s about turning the inevitable stress into energy you can use. Here’s how I approach it: 1. Start by understanding your audience 📍Ask: Who am I speaking to? What are their roles, goals, challenges? Example: If it’s a room of professional women in leadership roles, think about their context, pressures, what matters to them. 📍Craft your message so they feel you’re addressing them, not just broadcasting your knowledge. 2. Use your stress as fuel 📍Nerves are normal; they can sharpen your focus rather than derail you. Instead of fighting the adrenaline, channel it. Visualize moving purposefully. My own method: I practice standing, moving, speaking as though I’m already in front of them. I pull up a photo of the audience demographic on my screen, and I rehearse looking right at them. That gives me the same mix of excited, nervous energy I’ll feel on the day. 3. Rehearse with movement, voice and space 📍Don’t rehearse seated or glued to slides. Stand up. Walk. Gesture. Record yourself. Listen for clarity, pacing, tone. 📍Engage with that audience image: imagine eye contact, nods, curiosity. It makes the practice real. 4. Build your opening and closing with intention 📍First 30 seconds: hook them, show you know their world. Closing: leave them with a clear takeaway or action. Practicing both until you can deliver them naturally lowers nerves fast. 5. Have contingency, stay grounded 📍Glitches happen. Know your key points cold. If you stumble: pause, breathe, smile, continue. Your audience is on your side. 🎯 Quick Action Plan: - Write down 3 things you know about your audience. - Find an image that represents them and put it on your screen while practicing. - Stand up, rehearse your talk aloud with movement. - Record yourself - notice one thing to adjust. - On presentation day, channel your nerves as alert-energy instead of fear. 👉 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭?