End Your Fear Of Public Speaking Today
Posted on April 7, 2008 - Filed Under Writing and Speaking
Fear of Public Speaking has been rated as the #1 fear in America and has been rated in the top ten fears in “The Book
Fear of public speaking can effect your career development, since it’s almost impossible to be successful in business without have speaking to a large group at some point. Public speaking phobia is all too common in professional and social arenas and tackling your nerves may seem like a difficult task.
Anxiety
You can overcome the fear of public speaking, provided you develop a plan based on three basic ideas. Accept the fact that you have a fear of public speaking; make up your mind to work with it rather than to fight it; and learn proper presentation techniques. A good public speaking training course should address not only the basics concerns over nerves and anxiety, but will examine the reasons behind the fear, and help you with your individual needs. Remember that it is normal to experience some degree of anxiety when engaging in public speaking and that a certain amount of arousal actually facilitates performance. It’s perfectly normal to be nervous and feel afraid or anxious when speaking in public.
Skills
Increase your confidence and develop stage presence skills by taking courses in speech communication, drama, and theater. Consider joining a local chapter of Toastmasters. Toastmasters International groups hold meetings where people develop and practice speech and communication skills. Members give speeches in various lengths and topics and other members give constructive criticism. The clubs are built around acceptance, and the members have various skill levels. The other benefit besides conquering your phobia of public speaking is that these clubs hone leadership skills as well.
Practice
The three most important words to remember is practice, practice, and practice. Public speaking is a learned skill, developed much like other skills, such as playing the piano or painting: over time, with practice and some guidance. Practicing in front of your friends will help you get comfortable speaking to a group of people. Here a few more practice tips.
- Practice speaking at the correct volume for the crowd and room size.
- Practice the ending just as much as you do the beginning.
- Practice with any visuals you intend to use.
- Practice your speech in front of a full length mirror.
- Practice giving your speech to a group of stuffed animals. Don’t laugh it works!
The more you practice your speech, the more easily the words will flow, and the less you will have to rely on your notes.
Confidence
Develop a confident and relaxed state of mind when preparing to speak. Your audience should only see the relaxed, confident, professional you. If you give your body the signal that you are a confident public speaker by taking the stance of a confident presenter, your emotions and mind will follow. As the host introduces you, the audience will see how confident you are before you even before open your mouth. Tell yourself, “I am going to speak loudly and confidently.” Concentrate on projecting your voice and coming across as confident and cool.
Remember these tips the next time you have to speak before an audience and your fear of public speaking will lessen each time you repeat the process. Don’t let the fear of public speaking stop your career path, develop the public speaking skills, practice, and become a confident public speaker today.
Jim Best is an entrepreneur, speaker, and owner of the site, BestPublicSpeaking.com. Read more about overcoming the fear of public speaking, sales presentation techniques, and Power Point tips at www.bestpublicspeaking.com.
Tags: fear of public speaking, public speaking
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