Fear of public speaking is a common form of anxiety. But it is important to overcome your fear of public speaking.
See, the fear of public speaking can range from slight nervousness to paralyzing fear and panic attacks. Many people with this fear often avoid public speaking situations altogether. In addition, they suffer through them with shaking hands and quivering voices. But with preparation and persistence, you can overcome your fear.
So, if you are experiencing such fear, then stick with us to know how you can overcome it.
How To Overcome Your Fear Of Public Speaking
We won’t say whether it’s easy or difficult to overcome your fear of public speaking. However, you can incorporate the following tips and see if they help you.
- Know Your Topic
The better you understand what you are talking about and, the more you care about the topic, the less likely you will commit a mistake or get off track. And in case you get lost, you will be able to recover quickly. Take some time to consider as to what questions the audience might ask and have your responses ready.
- Think About Your Audience
When you begin to prepare for a presentation, the mistake that each one of us makes is beginning with the topic. This immediately gets us inside the details, thus making it harder to break down the wall between us and others.
So, instead, you need to begin with the audience. Before diving into the information, just ask yourself: Who will be in the hall? Why are they here? What do they need?, etc.
Remember, you need to be specific with your answers. Identify the needs of the audience, both spoken and unspoken, and craft a message which speaks directly to those needs.
- Get Organized
Ahead of time, carefully plan out the information you want to present, including props, and visual or audio aids. The more organized you are, the less nervous you will be. Use an outline on a small card to remain on track. Also, if possible, visit the place where you will be speaking and review available equipment before your presentation.
- Practice and Practice
Practice your entire presentation numerous times. Do it for some people you are comfortable with and ask for their feedback. It might also be helpful to practice with a few people with whom you are less familiar. Consider making a video of your presentation so that you can watch it and see opportunities for further improvement.
- Challenge Specific Worries
When you are afraid of something, you might overestimate the likelihood of bad things happening. Further, directly challenge them by identifying probable and alternative outcomes and any objective evidence which supports each worry or the likelihood that your feared outcomes/ results will happen.
- Visualize Your Success
Imagine that your presentation will go well. Having positive thoughts can help decrease some of your negativity about your social performance and relieve some anxiety.
- Do Some Deep Breathing
This can be extremely calming. Take two or more deep breaths before you get up to the podium and during your speech.
- Focus On Your Material, Not On Your Audience
People primarily pay attention to new information – not how it is presented. They might not notice your nervousness. If audience members do notice that you are nervous, they might root for you and want your presentation to be a success.
- Don’t Fear The Moment Of Silence
In case you lose track of what you are speaking or begin to feel nervous and your mind goes blank, it might seem like you have been silent for eternity. Right?
Well, in reality, it has only been a few seconds. Even if it’s longer, your audience will likely not mind a pause to consider what you have been saying. So, just take slow, deep breaths and start again.
- Recognize Your Success
After your speech/ presentation, give yourself a pat on the back that you have done it! The presentation might not have been perfect, but chances are that you are far more critical of yourself than your audience is. See if any of your worries actually occurred. Everyone makes mistakes. See if mistakes you made are an opportunity to improve your skills.
- Get Support
Join a group which offers support for people who have difficulty with public speaking. With like-minded people, you can overcome your fear of public speaking.
Conclusion
Let’s say there are certain holes in your knowledge or experience, so take this advice and ‘fake it until you make it.’ Through minor shifts in your body language, power posing, a weekend spent studying a topic, pretending to be someone else, or whatever works for you, fake being an excellent public speaker until you actually become one.
Finding a place to practice, taking cues from mentors, and seeking opportunities to speak in front of an audience are ways to overcome your fear of public speaking.
