Something that makes a lot of people feel uncomfortable doing is speaking in front of a crowd. Whether it’s a boardroom, a classroom, or even a small group of people, public speaking tends to trigger sweaty palms, shaky voices, and a racing heart. If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. Among the most widespread fears in the world is public speaking.
But here’s the good news: that fear doesn’t have to stick around forever. And no, you don’t have to become someone else or force yourself to “just do it.” There’s actually a powerful tool that can help you shift the fear from the inside out. It’s called NLP, and it might just be what you’ve been looking for.
What Exactly is NLP?
NLP stands for Neuro-Linguistic Programming. It’s a method that looks at how your brain works with language and patterns. In simple terms, NLP helps you understand how your thoughts affect your feelings and how to change the ones that aren’t helping you.
If public speaking makes you anxious, chances are you’re telling yourself a certain story: “I’m going to mess up,” “Everyone will judge me,” “I always forget what to say.” NLP helps you catch those patterns and rewire them.
How NLP Helps with Public Speaking Fear
Here’s how NLP works when it comes to overcoming stage fright:
- Changing the Inner Dialogue
Most of us have an inner voice that gets loud right before we speak. It’s often critical, full of doubt, and not very kind. NLP techniques help quiet that voice and replace it with something more supportive. You start talking to yourself the way you would to a friend: encouraging, calm, and grounded.
- Reframing Past Experiences
Maybe you had one bad experience that scarred you. You forgot your lines, someone laughed, or your voice shook. NLP helps you revisit those memories and “recode” them in your mind so they no longer carry the same emotional weight. You don’t forget the past. You just stop letting it dictate your future.
- Creating a Confident State on Command
With NLP, you can learn how to get into a confident mindset whenever you need to. You can think of it as shifting gears in a car. You learn how to shift from nervous to calm, from unsure to focused, right before you speak. It becomes a skill you can use again and again.
- Visualizing Success (in a way that works)
You’ve probably heard of visualization, but NLP takes it a step further. It teaches you how to use your senses, what you see, hear, and feel in your mind, to “practice” success in a way your brain believes. The more authentic it seems, the more confident you feel.
Meet Christina Steinhoff, Certified NLP practitioner
If you’re curious about how this works in real life, Christina Steinhoff is someone you should know. She’s a certified NLP practitioner based in Dubai who’s helped people move past fear and speak with confidence, whether it’s for work, interviews, or even social settings.
Christina doesn’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. She listens, understands your unique triggers, and uses NLP techniques that are personalized for you. The goal isn’t to turn you into a perfect speaker. It’s to help you feel like yourself, calm, clear, and confident, no matter who’s watching.
Final Thoughts
Public speaking doesn’t have to feel terrifying. It might always bring a few nerves (that’s normal), but it shouldn’t feel like a mountain you can’t climb. With the right tools, support, and mindset, you can speak in a way that feels natural and confident.
