Shaky voice. The telltale sign of nerves, anxiety, and public speaking dread. For years, my voice would tremble at the mere thought of speaking in front of people. Presentations, meetings, even ordering coffee in a crowded café – my voice would betray me, shaking like a leaf in a hurricane. It was mortifying. I’d try to control it, deepen my voice, speak slowly, but the tremor persisted, amplifying my self-consciousness.
Then, I decided to lean into it. Instead of fighting the shaky voice, I acknowledged it. I started presentations with, “Bear with me, I’m a little nervous, so my voice might be a bit shaky.” And something amazing happened. Vulnerability became connection. Honesty disarmed judgment. The shaky voice, the thing I’d always tried to hide, became…relatable.
That day, my shaky voice became my unexpected strength. It wasn’t about suddenly loving the tremor (still hoping it calms down!). It was about realizing that vulnerability is powerful. My shaky voice showed I was human, authentic, and brave enough to speak even when nervous. It made me more relatable, more human, and surprisingly, more engaging. My shaky voice, the thing I’d always hated, became my unexpected asset. Turns out, sometimes your perceived weakness is your greatest strength. Embrace the shake.