The Fear of Public Speaking is incredibly common and holds many back from becoming a good speaker.
WHY this fear? Here are some reasons:
Out of our Comfort Zone:
Most of our conversations are one-on-one. Many are by phone where we don’t see the other person.
Increasingly, much of our communicating is done by email or text where we don’t see or hear the other person.
It’s natural to be UNcomfortable when standing and speaking in front of a group who are all looking and listening to us.
Fear of being Judged:
Being in front of others makes us vulnerable to judgment.
We worry about how others perceive us, which creates anxiety.
Lack of Confidence:
Not feeling prepared or confident about the topic you're presenting can increase that fear.
Worrying about making mistakes or not being knowledgeable enough can be intimidating.
Past Experiences:
A past experience, such as being embarrassed or criticized while speaking, can contribute to the fear.
Physical Symptoms:
The physical manifestations of anxiety, like trembling, sweating, or a racing heart, can make speaking in public an uncomfortable or even frightening experience.
Merely fearing those physical indicators could arise, again, can bring on anxiety.
Pressure to Perform:
Sometimes, especially in professional or academic settings, there is pressure to perform well.
This adds stress and amplifies the fear.
Perfectionism:
Striving for a perfect presentation or fearing you'll make mistakes can create immense pressure.
The fear of not meeting high personal standards can contribute to anxiety.
To address these fears, you can adopt various strategies:
Preparation:
Thoroughly preparing for a presentation or speech helps build "Confidence in your Competence."
For TEDx Talk speakers I've coached, the rule of thumb for practicing is: "One hour of preparation for very minute of presentation."
Knowing your material well reduces the fear of being caught off guard and increases your belief in yourself to deliver your talk well.
Positive Visualization:
Instead of imagining negative outcomes, practice positive visualization.
See yourself speaking confidently and receiving positive feedback.
Gradual Exposure:
Gradually exposing yourself to public speaking, starting with smaller and less intimidating audiences, can help desensitize your fear over time.
Skill Development:
Improving your public speaking skills through training or coaching can boost confidence and provide you with the tools to communicate effectively.
Understanding WHY many have the fear of public speaking and employing these strategies can help you overcome this common challenge. You'll become a good speaker and your presentations will be - NO SWEAT!
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About the AuthorFred E. Miller is a speaker, an international coach, and the author of the books,“NO SWEAT Public Speaking!” and“NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”
Businesses, Individuals, and Organizations hire him because they want to improve their Networking, Public Speaking, andPresentation Skills.
They do this because they know:Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.
Businesses, Individuals, and Organizations hire him because they want to improve their Networking, Public Speaking, andPresentation Skills.
They do this because they know:Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.
They also know:We perceive really great speakers to be Experts. We like to work with Experts.
He shows them how to: Develop, Practice, and Deliver Fantastic Presentations! with – NO SWEAT!
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Lessening The Fear of Public Speaking with – NO SWEAT!
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Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.
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