Free Your Voice: 4 Steps to Rid Yourself of Anxiety by Amy Eliza Wong

In moments of uncertainty, when your heart races, palms sweat, and the words seem to get stuck in your throat, you’re not alone. Many of us experience anxiety, especially when it comes to speaking up—whether in a meeting, on stage, or even during a conversation with a loved one. But what if I told you there's a powerful way to transform that anxiety into clarity, confidence, and freedom? All it takes is understanding the nature of our focus.

The truth is we hold a primary underlying objective in each given moment. This objective, whether consciously acknowledged or not, ultimately dictates the quality of our experience. Recognizing this pivotal insight allows us the power to shift our focus and transform fear into freedom and bold action.

Below are four steps to break free from anxiety and give your voice the freedom it deserves.

Step 1: Care About How You Feel

The first step toward freedom starts with acknowledging that how you feel in any moment is symptomatic of what you’re focusing on. In the same way that horror films might make you feel scared, or comedy films might make you feel lighthearted, both your conscious and unacknowledged focus determine your emotional state as well. In this step, you use your feelings, not your thoughts, as your guide. By tuning you’re your feelings, you gain clarity about the internal landscape that shapes your experience. 

When you feel nervous, recognize that it’s because you’re rooted in a self-focused perspective, such as worrying about how you appear or if you'll measure up, more than you are focused on the bigger objective at hand. Care about how you feel and use this awareness to guide your next steps.

Step 2: Catch When You’re Not Feeling Your True Potential

If you care about how you feel, then it follows that you can catch when you feel ineffective. Are you feeling bold, clear, and capable, or are you caught in a web of self-doubt, anxiety, and uncertainty? This step is about recognizing when you’re not experiencing your full potential. Unpleasant feelings are not causes but symptoms of an unhelpful focus. Catching that you feel ineffective or uncertain allows you to pause and reflect, inviting you to claim a focus that aligns with your ultimate objective.

Step 3: Be Honest About What You’re Really Focusing On

Now comes the moment of self-honesty, where you dig deeper to identify what you’re truly focusing on. This step is about acknowledging the underlying focus that drives your current feelings and actions. Are you motivated by the desire to prove yourself, to be right, or to avoid judgment? By identifying your true focus, you gain a clearer understanding of what’s taking up mental space, allowing you to adjust your approach accordingly. Self-honesty is the defining factor in overcoming anxiety. 

Often, we mistakenly believe that we need to prove ourselves, channeling our mental resources into a mess of self-concern. Here is the moment you confront the truth: You might discover you're focusing on something unhelpful, like looking good or staying safe. By taking the time to articulate what you’re truly standing for in that moment, you’ll wake yourself from the trance of self-consciousness.

Step 4: Shift the Focus Outward

The honesty in Step 3 illuminates your path forward and cultivates freedom. Why? Because here’s the pivotal moment: This is when you get clear and claim a noble stance or objective that has nothing to do with yourself. This moment is bigger than your image. So, what’s it really about? Is it about empowering the audience? Is it about co-creating mutual success? Is it about improving the lives of your customers? Shift your focus outward, away from self. 

What greater purpose do you stand for relative to the opportunity at hand? When you take the spotlight off yourself, you can channel your energy into serving the needs of others or contributing to a collective vision. This shift not only alleviates anxiety but also infuses your delivery with passion and clarity as you tap into the inspired intentions behind your message.

The journey toward an anxiety-free voice starts with awareness, honesty, and focusing on something greater than yourself. Every time you encounter the familiar weight of anxiety, remember these four steps: acknowledge your feelings as symptoms of your focus, catch when you’re not feeling effective, be honest about what you’re really focusing on, and claim a noble stance that prioritizes the greater good.

By embracing this wisdom, you can redefine your experience, allowing your voice to be a force for connection and empowerment. Remember, you are worthy, you are capable, and you have something meaningful to share with the world. Free your voice, and let it resonate in harmony with the noble intentions that guide you.

Amy Eliza Wong is the founder of Always On Purpose®. As a leadership expert, author, and speaker, she collaborates with organizations, like Salesforce and LinkedIn, to provide transformative leadership development and communication strategies. A certified coach in Conversational Intelligence®, Amy combines principles from transpersonal psychology, interpersonal neurobiology, and mindfulness to help executives achieve flow and impact. Her book, "Living On Purpose," won the 2022 Book of the Year award by The Magic Pen.