Fight, Flight, or Freeze

Stage fright triggers one of three responses. Fight looks like aggression or talking too fast. Flight looks like cutting your talk short or avoiding eye contact.

Knowing which response you default to changes the fix. People in fight mode need to consciously slow down. People in flight mode anchor themselves physically to the stage - feet planted, hands on the lectern. People in freeze mode over-rehearse the opening so muscle memory can help when conscious thought stalls.