🔥 Nervous Before Speaking? Good. That Means You’re Human (and You Care)
Hello Hello!
It’s unbelievable how painful it can feel to speak in front of an audience. Whether it’s a classroom or a company meeting, the fear of forgetting your words or being judged can be paralyzing.
This is actually one area I’m proud of in my own journey. I’ve always had a fear of public speaking — but I’ve never let it stop me. I’ve been speaking in public since I was a kid. At school, at church, for my business, at meetups, at conferences, and now as a college professor.
The fear is still there… but it’s no longer in charge.
For fun (and maybe a laugh), here’s a link to one of my more nerve-wracking presentations back in 2016: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0-AP2in1pI
It was a challenge — but I got through it. And when I hosted the Solo Coder Podcast, I interviewed a lot of successful people in tech. You know what most of them had in common? They were speakers. Good or bad, scared or not — they put themselves out there. They used their voice.
Today’s newsletter is all about helping you do the same — with a little less fear and a lot more confidence.
Enjoy,
— Aderson
🔥 Nervous Before Speaking? Good. That Means You’re Human (and You Care)
You know that feeling right before you speak?
Heart racing. Palms sweaty. Voice shaky. And the question that runs through your head:
“Why do I get so nervous while everyone else seems so calm?”
You might think it’s because you’re not confident enough. Or that you’re not cut out for public speaking. But here’s a truth that might change how you see it:
Nerves are not the enemy. They’re a signal. And that signal is: You care.
3 Reasons Why Nervousness Is a Good Sign (Yes, Really)
- 🔋 It Shows You're Emotionally Invested
- 🧭 It Means You Want to Do Right by Your Audience
- 🎯 It Gives You Energy — If You Use It Right
🔋 It Shows You're Emotionally Invested
You get nervous because you want it to go well. You care about your work. You care about how it’s received. You want to be useful, clear, respected.
Would you really want the opposite? To walk in totally flat, careless, unbothered? Probably not.
That little spike of nerves is your brain saying: “Hey, this matters. Pay attention. Let’s show up for this.”
Instead of trying to suppress it, acknowledge it. Welcome it in like a friend. Say to yourself: “I’m feeling this because I give a damn. And that’s a good thing.”
🧭 It Means You Want to Do Right by Your Audience
People who care about connecting — not just talking — feel more pressure. Because they’re thinking about others, not just themselves.
You want your manager to get it. You want your peers to learn something. You want the client to feel confident.
That’s not insecurity. That’s empathy.
The most thoughtful communicators I know still get nervous. Not because they’re unsure — but because they care how it lands.
When you realize your nerves are tied to your values, not your flaws, the pressure shifts. It becomes less about fear — and more about purpose.
🎯 It Gives You Energy — If You Use It Right
That nervous energy? It’s basically adrenaline for your brain.
It sharpens your focus. It wakes you up. It prepares your body to be fully present.
What throws people off is when they interpret that energy as panic. Instead, try this mental shift:
- Don’t say: “I’m nervous.”
- Say: “I’m energized.”
It’s the same sensation — just rebranded.
Athletes do this. Performers do this. You can too. Let that energy fuel your clarity, your pacing, your passion. Don’t shut it down — channel it.
Final Thoughts
If you get nervous before speaking, you’re not broken. You’re not unqualified. You’re not behind.
You’re just human. A human who cares.
And that’s the kind of communicator people trust.
Start welcoming the nerves instead of fearing them. They might just be your superpower.
Personal Updates
- 🚗 Last weekend was very challenging. I got into a minor car crash (It was my fault).
- 🌡️ And I got what seems to be kidney stones. But exams didn’t detect anything. Not sure what was that yet.
- ✈️ Returning to Canada on Aug 4th.
“There are two types of speakers: those who are nervous and those who are liars.” — Mark Twain