5 Tips To Overcome Your Fear Of Public Speaking

Speaking while being in the spotlight when all eyes are focused on you, you tend to get distracted. Oftentimes, you start rating yourself right in the middle of the speech.

You no longer care about the points for speaking, rather you start thinking about how soon can I get this over with.

And here’s the point that changed my entire takeover of public speaking.

I was never a good speaker from the beginning. I stuttered, shivered, and croaked more than I could have imagined. I was also laughed at during one of my presentation speeches where I forgot my lines and I just said “thank you” and walked back.

So yes, I’ve faced it all.

But, that didn’t make me stop going on the stage. When I failed, I made sure I did better the next time on getting an opportunity.

I’ve been independently speaking in public for the last 8 years. I still get nervous when I begin facing the crowd.

But the different ways of handling the audience come only with experience and practice, which I think, forms the most important factor in public speaking.

Here are 5 tips that will help you overcome your fear of public speaking.

1. Choose a topic you’re passionate about

I realized that when you care about something, it becomes easier to speak about it and get others invested and passionate about what you’re talking about as well.

So if you’re going to speak on a topic, ensure it’s something you’re passionate about. The topic should have had an inordinate impact on you, you want to share with others or you intensely feel others could benefit from knowing.

Other people can benefit from the knowledge you have gained through your unique experiences. Combine your passions with your desire to improve others’ lives to calm your nerves and boost your confidence in front of an audience.

2. 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 backup material in case time is left over.

3. Right before you speak, refocus your brain.

You are the most nervous right before you speak. This is the moment where your brain is telling you, “Everyone is judging me. What if I fail?” And it is exactly at this moment that you can refocus your brain.

At this point, it is important to remind yourself that you are here to help your audience. Be firm with your brain. Tell yourself, “Brain, this presentation is not about me. It is about helping my audience.” Over time (usually between four and six presentations), your brain will begin to get it, and you will become less nervous.

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. 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.

In conclusion…

Public speaking is a fantastic skill I believe most people should master, though. Whether you want to make a career out of it or just want to be able to feel comfortable speaking publicly on a personal level.

One of the best ways to improve public speaking and your comfort with it; and leave the fear of public speaking in your past is to take public speaking courses.