How do I Overcome My Fear of Public Speaking?
Before you can overcome your fear of public speaking, you first need to understand where the fear is coming from. According to Psychology Today and a journal published on Taylor & Francis Online, there are four sources: physiology, thoughts, situations and skills.
1. Physiology
For some, the mere thought of speaking in front of a crowd might get their heart racing and, in some cases, cause anxiety. The physiological effect of speaking in public - sweaty palms, a racing heart, lightheadedness - is enough to put anyone off getting on a podium to address a crowd of people.
2. Thoughts
Sometimes your negative thoughts can get in the way. Your misconception of what people think of you or your ideas might be the thing holding you back from becoming a phenomenal public speaker. Get out of your head!
3. Situations
Maybe you’re not afraid of speaking in public, but the type of speech or the situation is what’s holding you back. You could be inexperienced in the topic, afraid to share new ideas, or maybe your audience is more informed than you. These situations could all contribute to your fear of public speaking.
4. Skills
It’s a fact: some people are better public speakers than others. But that doesn’t mean that you cannot develop public speaking skills to make you a great speaker. Working on your shortcomings and playing to your strengths is key to becoming good at speaking.
Practical Tips for Becoming a Great Public Speaker
1. Practice makes perfect.
As the saying goes, “Practise makes perfect”! Rehearsing your speech in front of the mirror, or even better, a small group of familiar faces, will help you become more comfortable with what you want to say and how to say it. Practising your speech in front of people will also allow you to conquer your fear and get feedback to understand which parts of your speech need improvement.
2. Don’t fear being afraid.
Chances are you’ll be nervous - and that’s fine. Sometimes fear is the best fuel to keep you on your toes - you might even find yourself using your fear of public speaking to get you through your speech.
3. Mindful breathing.
Don’t forget to breathe! When you’re standing in front of your audience, ready to deliver your speech, be mindful of your breaths. Mindful has some great tips on how to practise mindful breathing.
4. Your audience should be front of mind.
When preparing for your speech, the most crucial factor to remember is the people you’re writing the speech for. What you say and how you say it will have little impact on the people you say it to if you don’t understand your audience. Writing a speech with your audience in mind is key to delivering an unforgettable speech.
5. Don’t be shy - let your personality shine!
Speeches don’t have to be formal and impersonal. Find ways to let your personality show while delivering your speech - this will not only help you feel more at ease and comfortable, but it will also help you connect with your audience.
6. An engaging speech is a winning speech!
Many public speakers make the mistake of forgetting that they are speaking to actual people. They get so caught up in being afraid of speaking that they completely forget how to speak to humans. When having a conversation with a friend, you ask questions and respond to questions asked, so why not follow the same basic principles when speaking to a crowd? Make your speech engaging and conversational by incorporating interesting visuals and designs, and you’ll have the crowd in the palm of your hand.
7. Join a Toastmasters group in your area.
Toastmasters is a “US headquartered nonprofit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of promoting communication, public speaking and leadership.” These clubs allow people to practice public speaking, improve their communication and build leadership skills. If you’d like to join a club in your area, head over to the Toastmasters website.
What Careers Can I Pursue if I’m a Good Public Speaker?
So, you’ve mastered the art of public speaking and want to make a career out of it. Many jobs require presentation skills, but some careers rely greatly on outstanding public speaking skills.
Spokesperson
Educator, for example, a Highschool Teacher
Speech Writer
News Anchor
Religious Leader
Motivational Speaker
Become a Great Public Speaker - Five Courses to Get You Started
