From Panic to Power: Conquering the Fear of Public Speaking With the 3 P’s
By Monique Farmer, APR and Author of Chart Your Path
Picture this: You’ve just been nominated for not one, not two—but seven Grammy awards. Most would expect celebration, exhilaration, pride. But for India.Arie, a multi-talented artist with a voice that melts hearts, what came instead was something very different.
Fear. Paralyzing fear.
When Stevie Wonder personally called to congratulate her, her voice quivered. Her chest tightened. She had physical pain. As she recounted on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday, despite the glitz and recognition, she didn’t feel elated — she felt overwhelmed. Her body went into fight-or-flight mode. Why?
Because sometimes, we’re not just afraid of failure — we’re afraid of success.
When I was writing my book, Chart Your Path, and I heard about that story while listening to a podcast, it struck me deeply because I see it in my clients, in my students and in myself. We fear stepping onto the stage, into the spotlight, or into leadership — even when we know we’ve earned our place there.
Sound familiar?
If you’ve ever felt that kind of fear — the kind that shows up when your moment to lead, inspire, or present finally arrives — you are not alone. In fact, 75% of people struggle with some level of public speaking anxiety. That fear doesn’t just affect our nerves; it can stall careers, delay promotions and keep brilliant ideas locked away.
But here’s what I’ve learned — and what I teach others now: Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build. Just like a bridge, it starts with a framework. And for speaking? That framework is what I call the 3 P’s: Prepare, Practice, Perform.
The 3 P’s Framework: Your Bridge From Panic to Power
1. Prepare: Lay the Foundation
Every powerful message starts with knowing your audience and structuring your thoughts. Who are you speaking to? What do they care about? And what transformation do you want to spark in them?
Structure your talk with a beginning, middle and end — like a good story. Anticipate questions and think through your responses. Preparation doesn’t kill spontaneity; it clears space for it to shine.
2. Practice: Cement Your Confidence
Rehearsing out loud, recording yourself and getting feedback from trusted friends or colleagues is game-changing. The more you hear yourself say the words, the more your brain recognizes this moment not as a threat, but as familiar territory.
Use visual aids if they help and don’t be afraid to lean on tools that reinforce your message. Just make sure you remain the star of the show.
3. Perform: Step Into Your Power
Even the most seasoned speakers feel butterflies. The difference is, they’ve learned to fly with them. Deep breathing, grounding techniques and simple mindset shifts (“I’m not nervous — I’m excited”) can rewire your response.
Make eye contact. Use your body. Speak with intention. And when you’re done? Reflect on what worked — and what you’ll tweak next time.
Action Steps You Can Take Today
Whether you’re leading a board meeting in Omaha or keynoting a national conference in D.C., here are steps you can take right now:
- Join a speaking group like Toastmasters. It changed my life!
- Take a course — online or in-person — to sharpen your skills.
- Record yourself and review how you show up.
- Volunteer to speak at staff meetings, panels, or community events.
- Read aloud daily to develop vocal control and flow.
Remember: Your Voice Has Value
Public speaking isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. It’s about sharing your story, your solution, your spark — in a way that invites others to lean in.
And here’s the truth I want you to hold onto: Every time you speak, you get a little bit braver. A little bit stronger. A little bit more unstoppable.
So the next time fear whispers “who are you to stand up there?” — you remind it exactly who you are: a visionary, a strategist, a leader who’s ready to rise.
You’ve got the power. All you need is your 3 P’s.
Sources
- Public Speaking: Getting Beyond the Fear Through the Three P’s
- Youth Public Speaking Self-Efficacy Survey Tool
- Public Speaking Anxiety – Columbia State
- 10 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills
- Public Speaking Fear Statistics – Worldmetrics.org