183. Rethinks: How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication

Reframe anxiety as a strength and use stress to enhance your communication.

Stress, anxiety, nervousness — when these feelings inevitably arise, lecturer Kelly McGonigal says it’s not about making them go away, but using them to your advantage.

“What I have come to value about anxiety,” says McGonigal, “is it’s a sign that I care.” As she explains, feelings of stress alert us to things that matter to us and help us stay present in the moment — particularly useful, she says, when it comes to communication.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, McGonigal and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to channel stress toward more effective communication and to a deeper connection to our own purpose and meaning.

Episode Reference Links:

• Kelly McGonigal
• Original Episode: Ep.69 Feeling Nervous? How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication
• Ep.10 High-Stakes Communication: How to Manage Anxiety When Speaking in Front of Others
• Ep.33 Hacking your Speaking Anxiety: How Lessons from Neuroscience Can Help You Communicate Confidently.

Connect:

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• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:33) - The Benefits of Anxiety in Communication
• (05:52) - Presence and Anxiety in Performance
• (07:32) - Common Communication Mistakes
• (11:31) - Encouraging Audience Engagement
• (14:35) - Crafting Effective Communication
• (16:32) - The Joy of Movement
• (19:40) - The Final Three Questions
• (27:14) - Conclusion

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