The prospect of speaking in public causes fear in many people. Allowing fear to prevent you from speaking in public can stymie potential career advancement or the ability to promote your business.
One way to beat speaking anxiety is to join Toastmasters . This non-profit organization, founded in 1924, offers a first-rate educational program for speaking and leading with confidence. Toastmasters has helped millions of people overcome their public speaking jitters. You can join the organization through a local club, such as Postprandial, where you’ll find friendly people who have “been there.”
Confidence alone does not make someone a good speaker. Polished speaking skills come from knowing your subject matter, preparing and organizing the material, and practicing your delivery. Toastmasters will give you a supportive atmosphere where you can put these skills to work. Whether you are just starting out, or are a seasoned speaker, here are some quick tips to help improve your future speeches and reduce your anxiety level.
Give up the belief that you have to be perfect. Even professional speakers occasionally make mistakes. The difference is that they don’t consider mistakes major obstacles to success. The secret is to accept that mistakes are going to happen sometimes, and to develop the ability to recover from them quickly.
Visualize the outcome you want. Visualize yourself giving that speech the way you want to. If you anticipate success, you are more likely to get it.
Prepare Positively. Stop worrying about yourself and get excited about your subject. Practice and preparation are easier if your subject matter is important and/or enjoyable to you. If you think your material is interesting and meaningful, your audience will catch your enthusiasm and appreciate your sincerity.
Put the past behind you. Maybe your fear relates to past flops and embarrassments. Remember: All good speakers started out as not-so-good speakers. They improved because they resolved to do better the next time.
Get some rest. Plan ahead and get a good night’s sleep before your presentation.
Avoid mood-altering substances. Some people mistakenly think that drinking lots of coffee or alcohol prior to a speech will take the edge off and improve their delivery. Once these are in your bloodstream, there is little you can do about it but wait them out. It’s best to avoid over indulging prior to a speech.
Look your best. Take some time with your appearance. Polish your shoes and comb your hair. Wear attractive, flattering, professional-looking clothing. When you look good, you feel confident.
Remember to breathe. Anxiety tightens the muscles in the chest and throat. With a restricted airway and without enough oxygen, your voice can come out as a squeak! Deep breathing, on the other hand, sends oxygen to the lungs and brain and expands the throat and chest, promoting relaxation. As you approach the platform take a deep breath and relax.
Focus on friendly faces. While speaking, maintain eye contact with your listeners. Find friendly faces and focus on them. Smiles and approving nods will give you extra encouragement.
It’s ironic that some people are more afraid of public speaking than of driving around town. Yet, when was the last time you heard of someone dying from public speaking? Fear is a natural survival mechanism. It can motivate us, or stop us in our tracks. In situations that pose a threat to life and limb, fear motivates us to be careful. On the other hand, fear is a problem when it interferes with our goals and achievements. These tips will help you progress toward confidence on the platform. Ultimately we succeed when we conduct ourselves according to the rewards we want, rather than the things we fear.