Scattered Brain During Public Speaking

Have you ever been in the middle of public speaking and suddenly lost your train of thought? You know you had something to say, but you can't quite remember what it was? Chances are, you’ve experienced what I like to call “scatter brain syndrome.” Don’t worry — we’ve all been there! But why does scatter brain happen when we step up to the mic? Let's explore.

The Science Behind It

When it comes to public speaking, our brains tend to go into fight-or-flight mode. We become so overwhelmed with stress that our brains can’t focus on the task at hand — or in this case, on the words coming out of our mouths. This is because when we feel stressed or anxious, our body releases a hormone called cortisol which impairs our ability to think straight. That’s why when we get up on stage, it feels like all of our thoughts are jumbled and chaotic.

So how do we combat scatter brain syndrome? Well, the best thing you can do is prepare ahead of time. Make sure that you have a clear idea of what you want to say before stepping up to the stage. Practice your speech in front of friends and family until you feel comfortable with it — this will help reduce any pre-speech jitters and make presenting much easier for you. Additionally, take deep breaths before speaking to calm your nerves and keep your thoughts organized while talking.

Another effective way to ensure that your presentation goes smoothly is by using visuals such as PowerPoints or infographics during your speech. Not only will this help keep your audience engaged, but having visuals can also serve as reminders if ever you lose track of where you are in your talk. Visuals also give people something else to focus on if they don't catch everything that comes out of your mouth -– plus they're fun!

Scatter brain syndrome may be a common occurrence among public speakers, but with a little bit of preparation and practice it doesn't have to be an issue anymore! As female entrepreneurs especially, it's important for us to be confident when presenting ourselves in front of an audience so that we can make sure our message gets across loud and clear. So take a deep breath, relax — and just go for it! With some planning and self-confidence thrown in for good measure, I'm sure you'll ace every presentation from here on out!