Finding Freedom From Fear When You Speak

When it comes to speaking up — whether in a meeting, a conversation, or a moment that really matters — fear often comes along for the ride.

Fear of saying the wrong thing.
Fear of rocking the boat.
Fear of being judged, dismissed, or rejected.

These fears are real. They bring a sense of discomfort — and when that discomfort appears, we tend to do one of two things.

We might avoid it altogether by staying silent. Then we walk away feeling dissatisfied at best, or frustrated with ourselves at worst.

Or we take the Nike approach and “just do it” — we feel the fear and speak anyway. We might leave the moment relieved that we said something, yet still wish we’d sounded more confident or certain.

The ideal, of course, is to speak without fear — to feel free to use your voice without worrying about how others may react.

Take a moment to imagine what that would be like.
How would you sound if you spoke with freedom from fear?
What barriers would dissolve that currently hold you back?

Getting there isn’t about forcing new behaviours — those are like band-aids on a deeper wound.

True change happens when you shift your perspective: the way you see yourself in relation to others and to the situation you’re in.

For example, if you see yourself as intelligent but believe others in the room are more intelligent, you’re likely to hold back. Not because they truly are — you can’t possibly know that — but because your perspective tells you they are.

And here’s the good news: your perspective isn’t the truth. It’s just a story.
You can notice it, question it, and let it go.
You can choose to speak from a different place — one of freedom, rather than fear.

If you want to feel more at ease using your voice, start by reflecting on the perspective you hold about yourself in relation to others. Ask yourself: “Is this actually true?” It may feel true, but what evidence do you really have?

Chances are, the belief holding you back is simply a story you’ve made up.

And if you didn’t have that story — how much freer would you feel to say what you want to say?