How to Overcome your Fear of Public Speaking

We’ve all heard that the fear of death falls below the fear of public speaking. Most of us normal well balanced people freeze at the thought of having to present in front of business executives or make a simple speech in front of family.

 There are two very real aspects to public speaking. The first is, knowing what to say and the second how to say it. It is likely that someone reading this article is so nervous about speaking in public that they can become apprehensive when they think about the subject.

 However, what if you could go from no way will I do this, to bring it on! What if you knew about four easy steps that can change your life and career? Because when you step on that platform not only will you be comfortable in your presentation, people will want to hear you.

 This may sound very ambitious, but as an executive having to make presentations in front of people that I don’t know. In countries where I can’t speak the language, interviews on camera and surrounded by dozens of journalists. Incredibly, you may think that I am natural, well trained, or that I don’t have any nerve endings in my body.

 The truth is I had one course that was provided for us at work when I was 27 years old. The course was taught by an actress and she knew that I wanted to overcome my fear and desperately, because I knew it would be all the difference in my career. Interestingly, she also told me that it wouldn’t be the course that makes the difference it would be me at the moment I recognized that I needed to change.

 The following represents almost twenty years of personal experience and practice to create a style where I became comfortable and confident that I just can’t wait to be asked to speak.

 Step 1: Forget about making the Speech

 Okay, this sounds like I want you to walk away and it is exactly what you need to do. The first step is to separate yourself from the very thing that causes you anxiety so that you can focus on the subject you want to talk about. Nothing is more important than the development of the speech and presentation.

A speech has four components to it;

-          Introduction

-          Objective

-          Content

-          Conclusion 

Sounds easy right! Well it is especially if you can spend enough time to organize your thoughts and be clear in your own words with what you want to convey. Remember the speech or presentation isn’t about you it’s about the important information or message you are to share with others.

To separate yourself from the anxiety of making the presentation, pretend that you are writing it for someone else. Now all of a sudden the fear becomes a little more subdued.

Your first objective is critical, the scripting of your speech or presentation. Getting your thoughts on paper is important, formulating and placing your ideas in words that are compelling and attention grabbing is at the heart of success.

 In your own words, I can’t emphasize enough how critical it is that you write in a style and format that conveys your opinions and ideas concisely. Don’t try to write and speak in a style that isn’t you, it will be difficult and most likely unnatural.   

Step 2:  Understand your Fear and conquer it!

 Now that the speech is written, you need to practice, of course that probably scares you a little as well, because who do you practice in front of? You don’t want to be judged and nor do you want to be terrible at making the speech. After all that’s just the cusp of why so many people don’t want to make any presentation, “the fear of criticism” therefore ‘failure’.  

 At this point if you are like I was you are ready to climb back into bed and settle for a life of mediocrity. However, reality sets in and you know you have to try. Then as you begin to practice in front of the mirror images of what could wrong overwhelm you.

 Anxiety begins with a thought and it is then stimulated by emotions followed by physical feelings, it happens so quickly that we don’t normally know which has occurred first. But to someone who hasn’t had a great deal of experience it is easy to get caught into this trap and be paralysed at the thought.  You can overcome it!

 Fortunately, for me I chose the most critical person I could find someone who had high hopes for me and of course expected me to pay my portion of the bills, my wife. What I learnt about practicing is that you need to do it in front of someone you can trust.

 This person should know that you are nervous but they become your coach. In my first few presentations I struggled in front of her, I used the ironing board and a book to prop up my slides and I went through it slide by slide.

 I am a perfectionist so I did it again and again until I got every word, I wanted to say right. With practice came confidence in my content and style. Practising in front of the mirror doesn’t work there is no feedback on your style no one is there to tell you the truth.  

Step 3: Act

 My coach an actress was very confident in her presentation skills and with speaking in front of a class of weary eyed, nervous students who wanted to change their lives, people she had never met before. The truth was she was acting, she had a script and plan to present to us, how to improve our own presentation skills.

 To be a great presenter and speaker, you have to learn to act. And in acting, you can step away from the little voice inside that implies you aren’t good enough. You create a character an alter ego that steps into place for you. You must create that alter ego the actor that will step on stage and depict an image of you the speaker, presenter and leader.

 Some of the most renowned speakers, leaders, singers and actors are shy and introverts. This may be hard to believe, but it is a fact not everyone is an extrovert. Furthermore, to an introvert there is a perfectionist, entrepreneur, leader inside who wants to tell the world I am here and I have something to say.

 Step 4: Tell a Story

 Become a story teller. The best speeches are conveyed in a natural way, much like you are telling a story to friends or your children.

 When you speak to a group of people in this manner they are engaged versus fighting to stay focused. A good story teller unravels the point in a style and tonality that is relaxing and entertaining.

 Humour and Sincerity are two approaches to starting most speeches it relaxes you and your audience.

 Story telling is just as important when giving a formal slide presentation so many people read the slides. I’ve discovered most of your audiences can read they are interested in the story behind the words. Practice, this and it will make you an incredible speaker and a credible authority on the subjects of choice.

 Conclusion:

 A breakthrough is possible and your ability to stand on stage is a reality. However, you must want it bad enough that it preoccupies your very person to be the best. Replace your thoughts of fear with a vision of what you want to happen. Remember, your fear comes from thoughts only there is no truth that you will fail unless you go in unprepared and unrehearsed.

 Exec-Guy