Is a Little Speech Fright Good?

One of the most common things you hear people say about speech and stage fright is that being a little nervous is actually good for you.

Really?

Well, that’s what a lot of folks say at any rate. In fact, country artist Faith Hill once said, “A little bit of stage fright, then I’m ready.”

The explanation for why a little stage or speech fright is good seems to go something like this. In some sort of way, it leads to better performance than if you’re completely at ease.

But is it true? Is having a few butterflies a good thing?

Maybe Yes

There are actually a couple of answers to that question. One is maybe. Being a little nervous can help bring out your best, at least under certain circumstances.

For example, the same fight-flight-or-freeze response that causes such unwanted symptoms as a pounding heart and labored breathing could certainly have an upside if you’re running a 100-meter dash. A wash of adrenalin can also invigorate you. That too can aid good performance, as long it doesn’t get out of hand.

The Rub

And there’s the rub. How can you possibly will yourself to experience just the right degree of nervousness to achieve an ideal level of arousal without overdoing it to the point that the symptoms of anxiety begin to mar your performance?

Here’s the second answer to the question of whether a little nervousness is good for you. The body releases adrenalin through the bloodstream not only when you’re frightened or nervous but also when you’re excited.

So, I’d change the statement “a little nervousness is a good thing” to instead read “a little excitement is a good thing.” More often than not, such excitement is what brings a speech or performance to full life.

Is a little nervousness a good thing then? Not really. However, a little excitement almost always is. In fact, peak performance calls for it.

Here’s what I think sometimes happens:

 Mistaken identity

We innately understand how important excitement is to performance. It’s to the point that we subconsciously psych ourselves up before a speech, performance or competition. The process being subconscious, we simply mistake being pumped up with excitement as being nervous when we notice butterflies in our stomach.

Remember, the physical symptoms of excitement and nervousness are almost identical. You just assume you’re nervous when you feel your heart pounding and your fingers trembling. “Hmm. What gives? I guess I must be nervous.”

Self-fulfilling prophecy

The danger in such self talk is you that can wind up making yourself really and truly anxious. It becomes like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

On the other hand, this explanation actually helps explain why we seem to get anxious over even completely benign events. Maybe you aren’t so much nervous as you are excited, because you want to do a good job. Now there’s an idea a person can get behind. 🙂

Yerkes–Dodson law

P.S. I’d love to tell you that I came up with these brilliant thoughts about how important excitement is to performance. Alas, the psychiatrists Dr. Yerkes and Dr. Dodson beat me to it over a century ago.

As Wikipedia tells us the Yerkes–Dodson law is an empirical relationship between arousal and performance, originally developed by psychologists Robert M. Yerkes and John Dillingham Dodson in 1908. The law dictates that performance increases with physiological or mental arousal, but only up to a point. When levels of arousal become too high, performance decreases. The process is often illustrated as a curvilinear, inverted U-shaped curve which increases and then decreases with higher levels of arousal.

What do you think? Do you believe a little speech or stage fright is a good thing? Share your thoughts by commenting below.

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FAQs

Here are FAQs related to the Yerkes-Dodson Law:

Q: What is the Yerkes-Dodson Law?  

 A: The Yerkes-Dodson Law describes the relationship between arousal and performance, suggesting that moderate arousal leads to optimal performance, while too little or too much arousal can hinder effectiveness.

Q: How does the Yerkes-Dodson Law apply to public speaking?  

A: In public speaking, moderate stress can enhance focus and delivery, but excessive anxiety may impair performance, while too little stress might lead to under-preparation.

 

Q: What tasks benefit most from the Yerkes-Dodson Law’s principles?  

 A: Simple tasks typically perform better under higher arousal, while complex or unfamiliar tasks require lower arousal for optimal results.

Q: Can the Yerkes-Dodson Law help with managing stress?  

A: Yes, understanding this principle can help balance stress levels by identifying when stress is motivating versus when it becomes counterproductive.

Q: Is the Yerkes-Dodson Law universally applicable?  

 A: While widely supported, its application varies depending on individual differences and task complexity, making it a guideline rather than a strict rule.

Dr. Fish Says

A little speech fright can be a good thing. It sharpens your focus, boosts adrenaline, and prepares you to perform at your best. Rather than seeing it as fear, learn to embrace and channel it into the excitement of positive energy for a more impactful delivery.

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