How to Reduce Pressure and Worry as a Podcaster

Podcasting is a great way to share your voice, passion, and expertise with the world and you should know how to start podcasting with no audience. But it can also be a source of stress and anxiety, especially if you're new to it or have high expectations for yourself. You may worry about things like:

• What if no one listens to my podcast?
• What if I make a mistake or say something wrong?
• What if I run out of ideas or get bored?
• What if I get negative feedback or criticism?
• What if I don't have enough time or money to keep podcasting?

These worries are normal and understandable but can also interfere with your enjoyment and performance as a podcaster. They can make you feel nervous, distracted, or discouraged, and prevent you from reaching your full potential.

Fortunately, there are some strategies you can use to reduce pressure and worry as a podcaster. Here are some of them:

1. Bless, don’t impress

One of the main sources of worry for podcasters is the fear of being judged by others. You may think you must impress your audience, peers, or yourself with your podcast. You may compare yourself to other podcasters and feel inadequate or insecure.

But this mindset can backfire and make you more stressed and less authentic. Instead of trying to impress others, try to bless them. Focus on serving your audience and providing them with value, rather than worrying about what they think of you. Your motive should be to share valuable ideas, stories, or insights that can help, inspire, or entertain them.

When you bless rather than impress, you shift your attention from yourself to your listeners. You become more confident, relaxed, and genuine. You also create a stronger connection and trust with your audience.

2. Rehearse, but don’t obsess

Another source of worry for podcasters is the fear of making mistakes or forgetting what to say. You may think that you have to prepare everything perfectly and avoid any errors or flaws.

But this mindset can also backfire and make you more nervous and rigid. Instead of over-preparing and obsessing over every detail, try to rehearse enough to feel confident, but not too much that you lose your spontaneity and creativity.

Find a balance between preparation and relaxation. Plan your podcast content and structure in advance, but leave some room for improvisation and flexibility. Practice your podcast a few times before recording it, but don't memorize it word for word. Review your notes or outline before going live, but don't read from them verbatim.

When you rehearse but don't obsess, you reduce the pressure and increase the fun. You become more comfortable, adaptable, and natural. You also allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them.

3. Create rest stops

Another source of worry for podcasters is the fear of losing their place or feeling overwhelmed by the length or complexity of their podcast. You may think that you have to keep talking non-stop and cover everything in one go.

But this mindset can also backfire and make you more tired and confused. Instead of trying to do everything at once, try to create rest stops along the way. Break down your podcast into manageable chunks and plan some pauses or transitions between them.

For example, you can divide your podcast into segments or sections based on the topic, the format, or the time limit. You can also use music, sound effects, or silence to create breaks or changes in the mood or tone of your podcast. You can also invite guests, co-hosts, or callers to join you in the conversation and share their perspectives.

When you create rest stops, you reduce the stress and increase the clarity. You become more organized, focused, and coherent. You also give yourself and your listeners some breathing space and variety.

4. Challenge anxious thoughts

Another source of worry for podcasters is the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios or negative outcomes for their podcast. You may think that something bad will happen or that something good will not happen because of your podcast.

But these thoughts are often irrational, exaggerated, or unhelpful. They can make you feel more anxious and less optimistic about your podcasting journey.

Instead of letting these thoughts take over your mind, try to challenge them with logic and evidence. Ask yourself questions like:

• Is this thought realistic or based on facts?
• Is this thought helpful or productive?
• Is there another way to look at this situation?
• What is the best thing that could happen?
• What is the most likely thing that will happen?
• How can I cope with this situation if it happens?

When you challenge anxious thoughts, you reduce the worry and increase the positivity. You become more rational, balanced, and hopeful. You also find solutions or alternatives for your problems or fears.

5. Ask yourself if a worry is something you can control

Another source of worry for podcasters is the feeling of being powerless or helpless over certain aspects of their podcast. You may think that you have no control over things like:

• The number of listeners or downloads
• The quality of the audio or the equipment
• The feedback or reviews from the audience
• The competition or trends in the podcasting industry
• The availability or cost of resources or opportunities

But these things are often outside of your control or influence. You can't force people to listen to your podcast, you can't prevent technical glitches or failures, you can't please everyone or avoid criticism, you can't predict or change the market or the demand, and you can't guarantee or afford everything you need or want.

Instead of worrying about things you can't control, try to focus on things you can control. Ask yourself questions like:

• What can I do to improve my podcast content or delivery?
• What can I do to enhance my podcast audio or equipment?
• What can I do to engage with my audience or solicit feedback?
• What can I do to stand out from the crowd or follow the trends?
• What can I do to optimize my resources or opportunities?

When you ask yourself if a worry is something you can control, you reduce the frustration and increase the empowerment. You become more proactive, responsible, and creative. You also take action to solve or prevent your problems or fears.

6. Practice mindfulness

Another source of worry for podcasters is the habit of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. You may think that you have to regret what you did wrong or missed out on, or that you have to anticipate what will go wrong or what you will miss out on.

But these habits are often counterproductive and distracting. They can make you feel more depressed and anxious, and prevent you from enjoying and performing in the present.

Instead of living in the past or the future, try to practice mindfulness in the present. Mindfulness is the ability to be present and aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judging them. It can help you calm your mind, reduce stress, and enjoy your podcasting experience more.

To practice mindfulness, you can use techniques like:

• Breathing exercises: Focus on your breath and notice how it flows in and out of your body. Breathe deeply and slowly, and count your breaths if it helps.
• Meditation: Sit in a comfortable position and clear your mind of any thoughts. You can use a mantra, a sound, or an object to help you focus. If any thoughts arise, just let them go and return to your focus.
• Body scan: Lie down and relax your body. Start from your toes and move up to your head, paying attention to each part of your body and how it feels. Release any tension or pain you find along the way.
• Sensory awareness: Use your senses to observe what is happening around you. Notice what you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. Be curious and open to new experiences.

When you practice mindfulness, you reduce the worry and increase the joy. You become more calm, attentive, and grateful. You also appreciate and savor every moment of your podcasting journey.

Conclusion

Podcasting can be a rewarding and fulfilling activity, but it can also be a stressful and anxious one. If you want to reduce pressure and worry as a podcaster, you can use these strategies:

• Bless, don’t impress
• Rehearse, but don’t obsess
• Create rest stops
• Challenge anxious thoughts
• Ask yourself if a worry is something you can control
• Practice mindfulness

By using these strategies, you can overcome your worries and fears, and become a more confident, relaxed, and happy podcaster.