Source: Dumb Little Man
Mark Twain famously said, “There are two types of speakers. Those who get nervous and those who are liars.”
It’s true that many of us are apprehensive about speaking in public and for good reasons. You feel emotionally exposed, vulnerable to scrutiny, and open to making mistakes.
You fear rejection or ridicule.Public speaking regularly pops up on the top of most-feared lists in the U.S. A few years ago, the annual Chapman University Survey of American Fears reported that 25% of responders reported being afraid or very afraid of public speaking.
Luckily, it is possible to significantly reduce your anxiety about public speaking while increasing your confidence. Some folks are successful at defeating the fear by incorporating easy-to-implement techniques, using preparation as a weapon or using CBD to relieve anxiety. But first…
What to Avoid When Speaking in Public
Speaking in front of an audience can be terrifying, especially if you already suffer from anxiety. We can be our own worst critics, magnifying our perceived mistakes and setting expectations way too high.
Here’s what you can try NOT to do:
• Expect yourself to be perfect. Allow some room for mistakes. Everyone makes them, even the most seasoned speakers.
• Stop talking. Even if you make a mistake, keep going. The audience might never know. Halting in the middle of your presentation will create a delay and discomfort you might not be able to recover from.
• Equate your self-worth with your ability to speak in public.
Chances are, it’s only a very small part of what you do. Either way, it has nothing to do with who you are as a person or your value. It’s just a learned skill most can master.
• Not engage with your audience. When you’re reading from script word-for-word and not trying to connect in any way with your audience, you risk facing a tuned-out crowd.
Practical Tips for Overcoming Stage Fright
Blowing your audience away or at least tackling anxiety is possible with some preparation and organization. Basically, it’s about becoming a better communicator by listening and connecting.
Consider the following strategies:
Prepare
Writing your speech down, videotaping yourself, and then reviewing with a critical eye or practicing in front of a friend for honest feedback can help…
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