Public speaking is an art that is easy to master. However, many of us still dread going out on the stage, and the anxiety while standing behind the curtain always escalates. And as the time comes to move towards the spotlight, the steps become heavier, the heartbeats become abnormal, and some even start to sweat.
The fear of public speaking is also termed glossophobia, and the anxiety in people suffering from it begins before they stand on the stage. It’s been estimated that at least 75% of the population is affected by this fear. [1]
It is even more feared than death, according to experts! It’s simple to assume that you’re not very good at it, but in reality, your fear of speaking is more of an issue than your speaking skills.
But don’t fret over it too much because millions across the globe face a similar problem. Once you cross that barrier of fear, you may discover that you’re quite good at it.
All you need to do is have the right motivation.
Best Hacks to Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking
1. Prepare Yourself Mentally and Physically
Experts claim that we are wired to exhibit and detect nervousness in others. Your audience will know if you’re nervous if your body and mind are. Therefore, it’s crucial to get ready before the big performance so that you can walk on stage with poise and composure.
“Your outside world is a reflection of your inside world. What goes on in the inside, shows on the outside.” – Bob Proctor
Before giving a presentation, mild exercise helps circulate the blood and bring oxygen to the brain. On the other hand, mental exercises can help to relax the mind and the body. Here are some helpful techniques to calm your pounding heart when you start to experience stomach butterflies due to public speaking fear.
Warming Up
It’s likely that if you’re anxious, so will your body. Your muscles feel stiff, your body tense up, or you start to sweat icily. Your nervousness will be obvious to the audience.
Do a few stretches to loosen and relax your body if you notice that this is exactly what is occurring to you minutes before a speech. Warming up before each speech is preferable because it improves the body’s overall capacity for function. Additionally, it enhances your movements, reaction time, and muscular efficiency.
Try these exercises to loosen up your body before show time:
- Neck and shoulder rolls – Concentrate on rotating the head and shoulders, they help loosen up the upper body muscles. Stress and anxiety can cause us to become rigid in this area, which might agitate you, especially when you’re standing.
- Arm stretches – During a speech or presentation, we frequently employ this set of muscles through hand gestures and movements. Stretching these muscles can help you feel more relaxed, have less arm fatigue, and have more range in your body language.
- Waist twists – As you turn your waist in a circle, place your hands on your hips. This exercise focuses on releasing the lower back and abdomen, which is important because these areas can generate pain and discomfort that magnify whatever anxiety you may already be feeling.
Stay Hydrated
Have you ever felt dry right before speaking? And then entering the stage in front of the audience while sounding raspy and scratchy? This occurs because of stage fright’s adrenaline-induced mouth-drying sensation.
You must drink enough water before a speech to avoid all of that. Water will do the work; just take a sip.
Meditate
A well-known effective method for calming the mind is meditation and you can use it to overcome your fear of public speaking. The author of the book 10% Happier and co-anchor of Nightline and Good Morning America weekend on ABC, Dan Harris, suggests that meditation can make people noticeably calmer more quickly.
A mental workout is similar to meditation. It gives you the willpower and clarity needed to block out distractions and the negative with words of strength, assurance, and encouragement.
One well-liked technique to calm yourself before taking the stage is mindfulness meditation. The exercise is finding a comfortable position, paying attention to your breathing, and then bringing your attention to the present without letting your thoughts wander to the past or the future, which probably includes wobbling on stage.
Here’s a nice example of guided meditation before public speaking:
2. Focus On Your Goal
Focusing excessively on oneself and the potential for failure is a trait shared by people with public speaking fear.
Do I look funny? What if I can’t remember what to say? Do I look stupid? Will people listen to me? Does anyone care about what I’m talking about?’
Instead of thinking in this way, center your thoughts on your one actual goal: providing your audience with something useful.
Determine the advancement you want your audience to achieve due to your presentation. Pay attention to their actions and facial expressions as you speak to ensure that they are having fun and will leave the room as better individuals.
If your focus isn’t beneficial and what it should be when you’re speaking, then shift it to what does. This is also key to establishing trust during your presentation as the audience can see that you have their interests at heart. [2]
3. Convert Negativity to Positivity
It makes sense why so many of us find public speaking uncomfortable. All we accomplish is undermining ourselves before we have a chance to establish ourselves. This is also referred to as a self-fulfilling prophecy, a belief that manifests into reality as a result of our actions. It will eventually come to pass if you believe yourself to be incompetent.
According to motivational coaches, positive mantras and affirmations tend to increase your confidence for crucial occasions. I’ll ace this speech; I can do it, tell yourself.
Instead of contemplating the worst-case scenarios, use your adrenaline rush to support a favorable outcome.
Here is a video of psychologist Kelly McGonigal encouraging her audience to use stress for a good while offering coping mechanisms
4. Understand Your Content
Having your content close at hand makes you feel less anxious since you have one less item to worry about. It will help you deal with the fear of public speaking. Practicing your speech several times before giving it is one approach to get there.
It’s not advised to memorize your screenplay word for word, though. If you forget something, you risk freezing. Additionally, you run the risk of seeming robotic and unapproachable.
“No amount of reading or memorizing will make you successful in life. It is the understanding and the application of wise thought that counts.” – Bob Proctor
Many people unknowingly make the mistake of memorizing their script or reading from their slides without understanding the subject, which is a certain way to become stressed out.
It is simpler for you to translate ideas and concepts into your own words so that you may clearly explain them to others in a conversational manner when you are aware of the flow and content of your speech. Designing your slides to include text prompts is also an easy hack to ensure you get to quickly recall your flow when your mind goes blank.
Memorizing the main principles or ideas in your pitch is one approach to comprehending it. It enables you to communicate more naturally and show off your personality. It resembles taking your audience on a journey with a few significant checkpoints.
5. Practice Makes Perfect
Like most people, many of us do not have a natural flair for public speaking. Rarely do people simply walk up to a large crowd and deliver a fantastic presentation without any planning or preparation.
Some of the best presenters make it seem simple during the show because they have spent countless hours of preparation in advance. Even accomplished public speakers like the late John F. Kennedy would spend months preparing their speeches.
Like any other ability, public speaking requires practice. This could involve preparing notes or practicing your speech in front of a mirror. Practice makes perfect, as they say.
6. Be Authentic
It’s normal to experience anxiety before speaking in front of an audience.
Many people fear public speaking because they fear others will judge them for showing their true, vulnerable selves. However, vulnerability can sometimes help you come across as more authentic and relatable as a speaker.
You’ll discover it’s worth the risk if you stop pretending to act or speak differently. You become more sincere, adaptable, and spontaneous, which makes it simpler to face unforeseen circumstances, such as unpleasant questions from the audience or an unanticipated technical issue.
It’s simple to determine your true speaking style. Simply choose a subject or problem that particularly interests you and talk about it as you would with a close relative or friend. It is comparable to speaking with someone one-on-one in a private atmosphere.
Selecting a random audience member (with a hopefully calm face) and speaking to just them during your speech is a wonderful technique to accomplish this on stage. You’ll discover that trying to connect with one person at a time is simpler than doing so with the entire room.
That said, depending on how easily you are in front of people, it could take some time and experience to be comfortable enough to be there. If you want to find out how to get over the fear of public speaking, then remember that stage fright won’t be as terrifying as you first feared, though, after you learn to accept it.
A good example of a sincere and enthusiastic speaker is Barack Obama.
7. Post-speech Evaluation
If you’ve given public speeches and had a horrible experience that left you scarred, try viewing it as a lesson you can use to become a better speaker.
Don’t Beat Yourself Up After a Presentation
It’s healthy to be the harshest on ourselves. But once you’ve finished speaking or presenting, congratulate yourself and pat yourself on the back. You have taken the initial steps to overcome the fear of speaking in front of others.
You persevered and succeeded in doing everything you set out to do. Your anxieties and concerns did not affect you. Increase your sense of pride in your job and self-confidence.
Improve Your Next Speech
It’s true what they say—practice makes perfect. Asking someone to record your speech or presentation can help you improve public speaking. After that, consider what you can change to perform better next time.
Following each speech, consider the following queries:
- How did I do?
- Are there any areas for improvement?
- Did I sound or look stressed?
- Did I stumble on my words? Why?
- Was I saying “um” too often?
- How was the flow of the speech?
As you continue to practice and get better, note everything you noticed. You’ll eventually be able to control your anxiety about public speaking better and project more assurance when it matters.
8. Write One Way This Fear Is Limiting Your Life
What causes fear of public speaking? What exactly is your fear preventing you from doing?
Your motivation to overcome it will rise if you can figure this out. Are you afraid to speak up during meetings or in the classroom? Do you have social awkwardness?
Do you base your academic course selection at school on whether or not there will be presentations required? You must write down how this worry is limiting your life so that you gather the strength to overcome it.
9. Talk About What You Know
It is easier to concentrate on presenting the idea rather than having to remember every phrase when you completely understand the issue. When you can improvise, you have more verbal freedom.
This also helps you feel less stressed. Do your research if you must speak about a topic outside your expertise. Try to relate it to a personal experience to make it simpler to communicate.
10. Re-Define Your Audience
A change in viewpoint usually involves redefining your audience. Consider them as old friends you haven’t seen in ten years. You can keep eye contact this way while trying to remember a past interaction with them. The audience will witness a personal and heartfelt performance.
11. Invest in Visual Aids
Imagine presenting a presentation with beautiful PowerPoint slides and sending each audience member notes that are just as beautiful. They won’t be looking at you 50% of the time. It is one of the smartest ways to overcome the fear of public speaking.
They’ll read the notes and your complex slides. You can then speak to those who aren’t looking at you, which is quite advantageous. When they turn to look at you, you just transfer your focus to others who are not being watched. Delivering a speech to a disinterested audience is always easier.
Conclusion
It’s time to start speaking now that you have practical strategies for controlling and getting rid of your fear of public speaking.
You can overcome your fear of public speaking by using the advice provided in this article. And keep in mind that your achievement is only your responsibility.
| [1] | ^ | Psycom.net: Glossophobia (Fear of Public Speaking): Are You Glossophobic? |
| [2] | ^ | High Spark: 4 Ways to Establish Trust In Your Presentation or Sales Pitch |
