Stop Freezing Up: 3 Exercises to Think and Speak Confidently Under Pressure

This video tackles the common problem of mental blocks or “freezing up” when put on the spot, arguing that quick thinking under pressure is a skill related to managing discomfort, not a fixed measure of intelligence.

The speaker outlines three practical exercises to develop the ability to think and speak fast in any situation:

1. Recovery Rep:

   Intentionally simulate losing your train of thought during a casual conversation or low-stakes presentation. Pause, appear slightly confused, and ask your audience for help (e.g., “Wait, what was I just saying?”).

   Why it works: This exercise demonstrates that blanking out isn’t disastrous; people are generally helpful. It reduces the fear associated with freezing, preventing the fight-or-flight response and allowing you to remain calm.

2. One Minute Nonsense Talk:

   Set a timer for one to two minutes and speak continuously on a completely random, silly topic (e.g., “why carrots should be the national fruit”) without pausing or self-censoring. The goal is to keep talking, even if it feels awkward or absurd.

   Why it works: This practice helps to quiet your inner critic and trains your brain to generate content even when feeling uncomfortable or unscripted. It builds fluency for spontaneous speaking in real-life situations like meetings or interviews.

3. Pause Drill:

   While improvising a speech on a random topic for 2-3 minutes, use a timer that beeps every 20-30 seconds. When the timer sounds, finish your sentence, then take a full, deliberate breath in and out before continuing to speak.

   Why it works: Under pressure, people often hold their breath, which increases tension and impairs cognitive function. This drill trains you to use pauses effectively to breathe, reset, and regain control, fostering comfort with silence and projecting confidence.

The central takeaway is that these exercises help to overcome the fear of failure and develop the ability to think and speak freely and effectively under pressure. Once this foundation is built, the speaker suggests focusing on storytelling to enhance connection with listeners.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=h1U88aYxUpI&si=vOsc-mhfOL3KYQZc