Fear Of Public Speaking: How Can I Overcome It?

I am on a stage and should begin to speak any minute now, but as I look to the audience, all I see are cold, unfriendly, judgmental stares, expecting to dissect everything I say and do, to find mistakes. I start to speak, and suddenly I realize I can’t do it. My voice is too shaky, and I stutter, I am a sweaty, nervous mess that cannot control her body, so everyone can clearly see what’s happening. To calm down, I say that I just need a minute and grab a bottle of water. Some members of the audience start to laugh, while others are leaving the room. I’m trying to continue, but I can’t. All I prepared for my speech has somehow vanished, rendering my mind completely blank. The only thing I can think about is how I’m going to collapse, embarrassed and frightened.

Have you ever experienced such a scenario?

Well, fear of public speaking is a common form of anxiety. It can range from slight nervousness to paralyzing fear and panic. Many people with this fear tend to avoid public speaking situations, or they suffer through them with shaking hands and a quavering voice.

Do you know you can overcome it?

Here is how;

1. Prepare Thoroughly

Nothing helps ease the fear of public speaking more than knowing your material. The ability to connect with your audience comes from having the confidence you won’t get lost during your delivery. Rehearse several times before the big talk. Time your presentation and always have back up material in case time is left over.

2. Practice breathing exercises.

Breathing exercises are relaxation techniques used to calm the body and mind before a public speaking engagement. If you feel a surge of anxiety or other adverse symptoms, try taking slow, deep breaths. Breathe through your nose for four seconds, hold for four seconds, and breathe out through your mouth for six seconds. Repeat this exercise until you feel your body relax and you can think clearly again.

3. Practice

Nothing takes the place of practicing and preparing for your speech. Write out a script of your key points, but don’t read from the script word for word. Practice with people you’re comfortable with and ask for feedback. It may also be helpful to practice with a few people with whom you’re less familiar.

One of my best tips to combat a fear of public speaking is to prepare for your speech so well that you could answer any possible question thrown at you.

Also, consider making a video of your presentation so you can watch it and see opportunities for improvement.

4. While you’re speaking, make eye contact.

One of the biggest mistakes we make is speaking to people as a group. We scan the room trying to look at everyone at once — and end up connecting with nobody.

In reality, each person in the room is listening to you as an individual. And so the best way to connect to your audience is by speaking to them as individuals. How? By making sustained eye contact with one person per thought. (Each thought is about one full clause.) By focusing on one person at a time, you make each person in the room feel like you are talking just to them.

5. Engage the Audience

It is important to make your talk a two-way interaction with questions and participation to reduce boredom and speak with ease. Having the group involved also gives you time to reorganize your thoughts if things are going off track.

Final thoughts

Turn your fear of public speaking into confidence!

Now that you have actionable ways to manage and eliminate your fear of public speaking with these tips for public speaking anxiety, it’s time to get speaking!

Not confident enough?

Consider this public speaking training class.