5 Steps to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking
How do you overcome fear of standing in front of an audience? How do you overcome self consciousness? If you are new to public speaking, you might have had bouts of nervousness before that moment when you get up on the podium to deliver your speech. And if you are intimidated by a crowd, you may never deliver your message effectively unless you take these definitive steps to overcome your fear.
What you can do to overcome stage fright?
1. Learn your subject well. Fill your mind with information about your subject. If you put in the time to do proper research you have won half the battle. Your confidence grows along with your knowledge of your subject. But be prepared… that the nervous stomach of yours may not disappear until you actually begin speaking, so don’t expect to be anxious free. Actually, some nervousness is good; otherwise, you may become overconfident. However, when you have something to say and you know what you are going to say your confidence will shine through.
2. Be the expert. If you have studied, done the research and are properly prepared, then you are the expert. You assume the role as the instructor. Develop the mind set that you are the teacher who is teaching them. You are not being arrogant when you assume the position as the expert. You are simply having the attitude that you have had the experience and paid the price to speak about your subject, and you will deliver!
3. Never apologize. Do not begin a speech by saying you are sorry for being unprepared. As soon as you do you have lost the right to speak. You should never start a speech with any kind of an apology. If you are late or lacked the time to prepare like you wanted, simply do not mention it. Just get started with your speech.
4. Begin a speech without words. When you walk up to the platform to make your speech, pause before saying anything. Look your audience in the eyes. When you approach the beginning of your speech in this manner you communicate to the audience that you are in control. You appear not to be nervous and everyone begins to feel secure. They will be more likely to receive your message.
5. Take your notes, but not a manuscript. If you need to, you can take your outline. This will give you a sense of security. You have studied. You are prepared. The outline will be there to guide you. It will help you stay on track. However, if you take the manuscript you will have a tendency to read too much. You may even get lost in all of the writing you have before you, consequently, you may find yourself filled full of fear. Do not attempt to memorize your manuscript either. You may forget where you are in your speech. Your mind may go blank. Or you may simply look very unnatural as you deliver your memorized script.
