Jaimie Abbott: Welcome to Pitch Perfect. In this week's episode, this is the show where we break down powerful communication strategies to help you basically thrive in every aspect of life. I'm Jaimie Abbott, your host, and today we're diving into a topic that everyone will face at some point in their lives, and that is how to speak under pressure. So whether it's giving a presentation at work, answering tough questions in an interview, or handling a sudden crisis, knowing how to stay composed and articulate is a game changer. So stick around, because I'm sharing some actionable insights and strategies to help you crush it when the stakes are high. Let's get into it. So, first of all, why speaking under pressure is so challenging. Let's start, with the obvious. Speaking under pressure is tough. Because of the stress. Your brain can feel like it's going a million miles an hour, and yet your mouth might freeze or worse, ramble. Now, here is why it happens. Number one, a fight or flight response. When you're under pressure, your body releases adrenaline, right? You know, your heart races, your hands sweat, and your brain's logical centre often takes a back seat to your survival centre. Fear of judgement. A lot of pressure comes from worrying about how others perceive you. You might fear saying the wrong thing or coming across as underprepared. High stakes. Number three. Whether it's a job interview, an important meeting or a public speech, the higher the stakes, the more pressure you feel. And I certainly feel this. People just expect me m to be this incredible public speaker. And so each time the stakes get high. And I really feel that pressure. But here's the thing. Pressure doesn't have to break you. It can actually sharpen you. You just need the right tools to navigate it. Now, let's talk about some mindset shifts to stay calm and confident. Let's talk about the mental preparation that sets the stage for success. Because speaking under pressure is 80% mental and 20% tactical. So reframe that pressure as excitement. Instead of saying, I'm so nervous, try saying, I'm excited to show what I've got. You know, studies show that reframing nervousness as excitement can help you perform better under pressure. Number two, detach from perfection. Remember, people don't expect you to be perfect. They expect you to be authentic. If you fumble a word or pause to collect your thoughts, that's human and relatable. Anchor yourself in your purpose. Ask yourself, what's the most important thing I want to communicate right now? When you focus on your message rather than how you're coming across your nerves will naturally take a backseat. Use visualisation techniques. Picture yourself nailing that moment. Imagine yourself speaking clearly, confidently and connecting with your audience. Let's talk about some practical strategies for speaking under pressure. Now for the good stuff, the tactics. These are your go to moves. When the heat is on, people always ask me, for tips on how to speak under pressure. And here, here they are. So number one is breathe. Before you speak, take a deep breath to calm m your nerves and ground yourself. A simple inhale for four counts, hold it for four and then exhale for four can do wonders. Pause for power. If your mind goes blank or you feel overwhelmed, don't panic, just pause. Pausing not only gives, sort of buys you time to think, but it also makes you sound so much more deliberate and confident. Stick to your key points. In high pressure moments, less is more. Focus on just one to three key points and messages and communicate them clearly. So for example, if you're answering a tough question, use a framework like prep point, reason, example point. Repeat the question. If someone puts you on the spot, repeat or paraphrase the question. This gives you a moment to think and ensures that you are addressing it directly. Lean on stories. Stories are your best friend. They're relatable, memorable and easy to tell. Even when you're nervous, have a couple of go to anecdotes ready for different scenarios. Practise active listening. Sometimes pressure comes from not fully understanding what's being asked. Listen carefully and if, you're unsure, don't be afraid to clarify. How to prepare for high stakes moments. Preparation is your safety net when it comes to speaking under pressure. Here's how to set yourself up for success. Number one, anticipate scenarios. Think about likely situations where you might feel under pressure and then just prepare for them. For example, if you're prepping for a meeting, brainstorm potential questions and rehearse your answers. Practise out loud. It's not enough to think through what you'll say, you need to hear yourself say it. So practise in front of a mirror, record yourself or rehearse with a friend. Develop a toolbox of phrases, Memorise a few. Go to phrases when you need to buy some time. Like you might want to say, that's a great question. Let me have a moment to think about that. Or here's what comes to mind right away. These are little tips that I do, by the way, especially with media interviews. build a pre performance ritual. Whether it's listening to a pump up playlist, doing a quick meditation or Reviewing your key points. Having a ritual helps you get in the zone. Real life examples of thriving under pressure let's look at some real life examples of people who've mastered the art of speaking under pressure. Barack Obama, known for his calm and sort of composed demeanour. Even when answering tough questions, he often, if you look at his speeches, he often uses pauses and also deliberate phrasing to give himself time to think. Brene Brown. Brene often talks about embracing vulnerability. she's actually a really good example of how being authentic and telling stories even under pressure, can create deep. Can create deep connections with your audience. And finally, you. Yes, you think of a time when you handled a tough situation well. What worked for you? Use that as a confidence boost the next time you're under pressure. Number six, final takeaways and pep talk. Let's wrap this up with some key takeaways. So pressure is part of life, but it doesn't have to derail you. A calm mindset paired with practical strategies like pausing, breathing and sticking to key points can help you thrive in any high pressure situation. Preparation is everything. So rehearse, exercise, anticipate and build your toolbox. And here's the thing, every time you speak under pressure, you're building a muscle. It gets easier with practise, I promise. That's it for today's episode of Pitch Perfect. I hope you feel more equipped to handle high pressure speaking moments like a pro. If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to subscribe. Please give it five stars. Give it a review. Ah, share it with a friend and I'd be really, really grateful. If you have any questions or stories Speaking under pressure I would love to hear from you. Drop me a message. You can find me on all the social channels at Jaimie Abbott or send me an email. Go, to my website, jaimie abbott.com jaimieabbott.com and you can contact me through there. Thanks for tuning in. And remember, you've got what it takes to speak with confidence, no matter what the pressure. Until next time, take care.
