| The act of Public Speaking is feared by the majority | | | | get a feel for it. Then rehearse the event in your mind |
| of the population even more so that death itself, so | | | | over and over when you go to bed. See yourself |
| major studies have revealed! It is however a fear | | | | speaking confidently with calm self assurance and |
| worth defeating and a skill worth mastering if you can, | | | | your audience interested, engaged, and responding |
| as to do so will boost your confidence tremendously | | | | favourably. This will really give you an edge, and where |
| and enhance greatly your career and social | | | | your mind goes successfully, your body will be sure to |
| opportunity. | | | | follow. |
| An eminent psychologist once said "do what you fear | | | | 3. One the day of the event, steer clear of caffeine |
| and death of fear is certain" and he was right! Most of | | | | and alcohol, they will not help you and caffeine can |
| us who suffer with this anxiety spend considerable | | | | really push your anxiety over the edge and out of |
| energy avoiding public speaking situations, but if we | | | | manageable limits. Breathe slowly and deeply, in for a |
| were to meet the challenge head on, we would very | | | | count of 7 and out for a count of 12, this will reduce |
| soon have our fears under control. So ok, you have a | | | | the anxiety and your nervous system will start to kick |
| public speaking engagement that you are dreading, it's | | | | in a relaxation response. |
| a week before the event and your anxiety levels are | | | | 4. A few minutes before the event, whilst breathing |
| rising, perhaps the event is constantly on you mind, and | | | | deeply, remember a significant success moment in |
| maybe you are even having sleepless nights. You | | | | your life that you've prepared in your mind. Wallow in |
| need help and fast, so what do you do? | | | | that success for a few minutes and the feelings that it |
| Analyse your fear - it's not speaking in public is it? If | | | | generated. This will calm you mind also enough to get |
| you can talk to one person, you can talk to one | | | | you started. |
| thousand can't you - what's the difference? Dig deep | | | | 5. You're on and running, pick a friendly face and |
| what are you afraid of? Appearing foolisl and nervous | | | | engage with them, they will respond and you will start |
| in frontof peers perhaps? Drying up is a major | | | | to relax. You've prepared, you've breathed slowly, |
| concern too, and not coping with the fear and having | | | | you've had a good start and you are sticking to the |
| to make a quick escape is usually the next. So how | | | | script that you rehearsed and memorised and you're |
| can you avoid these? | | | | doing fine. If appropriate, ask your audience a question, |
| 1. Fear is your friend! Actors, sportsmen, and | | | | or invite their questions. This will take the spotlight of |
| performers of all kinds need a little adrenaline to help | | | | you and make your audience think, and see, YOU are |
| them perform to the optimum. You just need to keep | | | | now in control, and the audience are being guided by |
| that fear under control, so you must prepare well in | | | | you! Slow down and do not rush to the end. If you find |
| advance, know almost by heart what you are going to | | | | yourself hurrying, just breathe and have few seconds |
| say, and rehearse several times. If you fail to prepare, | | | | break, you are in control and you just take your time. |
| you are preparing to fail so learn your speech and only | | | | A good conclusion will make you feel happy and |
| use bullet points on the day-don't read it to your | | | | content with your performance. |
| audience. Learning your speech will give you enough | | | | You've done it so congratulate yourself and be so |
| confidence to get you started, and after a good start | | | | proud of what you have achieved, and do it again |
| you will be flying! | | | | soon! |
| 2. Check out the venue before the day if possible, and | | | | |
