If speaking in public is something you struggle with because of fear, we have some encouraging news for you. You don’t have to conquer your fear of public speaking to be an effective communicator. It’s a part of you that you’ll always have. Instead, it’s about becoming fear-free or at least having less fear.
This phobia prevents many individuals from ever giving a public speech in the first place, or it causes them to suffer through it as their hands shake and their voices quiver. To know more about this phobia, check out the Phobiaman. It is possible to conquer your fear, though, if you are well-prepared and persistent. Here are some tips:
Prepare yourself.
Having a plan may seem self-evident, but it is the first step towards relieving your anxiety. The more you are prepared, the less likely you will make a misstep or go off course. You won’t get lost, and you’ll be able to find your way back quickly if you do. Spend some time thinking about the audience’s questions and prepare replies to such questions in advance. Your aim here is to be relaxed and prepared so you can maintain your calmness. Lists help double-check that everything is in order. If possible, plan ahead of time to execute a dry run with all of the AV equipment. Make use of your social network to assist you in practicing your speaking. You can ask your friend to rehearse with you or talk to the mirror to see how you look.
Allow yourself to be open.
It’s easy to mistake confidence for protection from whatever shame that may happen. However, our openness and gullibility might really be our greatest assets. Being human is the best approach to establishing a connection with your audience. This signifies that you have weaknesses and make errors. In other words, it is letting your audience get to know you a little bit better. You can’t communicate with them unless you allow them to do so. A stronger connection to what you have to say means a stronger connection to your audience. They’ll understand what you’re going through.
Make sure you’re present.
Not everyone is there, only employing their actual presence onstage. Your audience is more interested in what you are feeling and thinking than what you say or do, so you must be totally present if you want to establish a meaningful connection with them. Try to identify the things that encourage you to be more present. Depending on your situation, this might include taking action before you even get to the location. Anything that can bring you back to the present moment will do the trick.
As you put these measures into action, keep in mind that you’ll have to strike a balance. If you’ve tried everything and still haven’t been ready to overcome your phobia, you may want to consider getting some expert assistance. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a treatment for lowering public speaking anxiety based on abilities. Just remember: You got this!
