Conquer Your Fear Of Public Speaking

When you speak to a large number of people in an organized manner on some specific subject, it is called public speaking. People from various walks of life have to speak publicly in order to motivate, persuade influence, inform or even to entertain. However most people feel nervous when called upon to speak in public.

The related maladies

Sometimes a person may experience intense fear of embarrassing himself by his own action in a social situation. This is said to be social anxiety disorder. When a person feels fear of performing in front of an audience, it is called stage fright. If these become persistent conditions, the person may be said to suffer from glossophobia, i.e. fear of public speaking. In most cases stage fright remains common and only in certain instances can it evolve into something more serious.

Fear of public speaking manifests itself in several symptoms like blushing, sweating, trembling, palpitations, stammering etc.

Tips to overcome the fear of public speaking

You can follow some basic steps to overcome this fear of public speaking.

Preparation is the key. You should prepare your subject well. There is no need to be highly elaborate. You should prepare two or three points thoroughly and concentrate on them.

You should adopt a positive approach to the task in hand. Befriend your audience. If you adopt a humble approach and confess to your weaknesses or problems, the audience will stay with you. You should not talk down to your audience.

Humor is a very effective tool in public speaking. Use it well to engage your audience. Keep the tone friendly.

Take deep breaths. It is one of the most effective ways of calming the nerves. You should also be aware of any nervous mannerisms and check them.

One of the most effective ways of preparing to speak in public is to practice repeatedly on front of a mirror. This will help you locate any telltale signs of nervousness. You can also practice before friends and family. Using a recording device during practice help to overcome such problems as stuttering, nervous pauses etc. But you must take care that your speech does not sound as if you have learned it by heart. This is the potential pitfall of over preparation.

You can use some audio visual aids in your speech. Use of brightly colored large note cards help maintain a smooth flow of speech.

It is of absolutely no use to worry about the behavior of the audience. If someone walks out or starts talking, it is neither your fault nor a catastrophe. Do not be too self critical.

Above all, be confident. You know your subject best and so be forceful of what you are saying. You must believe in what you are saying.

Public speaking is not an ordeal. You should enjoy yourself and love every minute of the attention. Just remember, even if you make any mistake, it is not the end of the world. You should check any tendency to magnify the consequences of your act.

Initially, self help guide books can provide you with the necessary psychological boost. Some people take beta blocker drugs to reduce anxiety.

Conquer Your Fear Of Public Speaking

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