Overcoming Fear Of Public Speaking

Fear of public speaking is a very common form ofpeople over practice, and this just causes the fear to
social anxiety. Fear of public speaking has often beengrow and grow. Remember it is okay to mess up
called the 'Greatest Anxiety,' due to the large numberwhen you are giving a speech. Simply laugh at
of people who actually experience this fear. Fear ofyourself, the audience will laugh with you - not at you -
public speaking doesn't just mean that you have a fearand you can continue your speech. In fact, most
of making a speech in public. It can mean that youpeople are much more relaxed after they've made
experience stage fright, or even that you have a fearthat first mistake in the speech and laugh about it.
of talking to other people in a social situation.They know, at that point, that they are going to be
Fear of public speaking often holds people back fromokay.
many things that they want in their lives. It may be jobSpeeches do not need to last for hours. You only
promotions, or fund raisers for causes that theyneed three or four main points. Say what needs to be
believe in, but the fear of public speaking will, at somesaid, accept the applause and say 'Thank You,' and go
point, stand between you and what you want or need.off and enjoy the rest of your day or evening. Another
Symptoms of fear of public speaking include shortnesstrick that works well is to have someone you know
of breath, inability to speak, a shaky voice, shallowwell to look at throughout the speech, and concentrate
breathing, rapid heartbeat, sweating, nausea, dizziness,solely on that person. Give you speech to them, and
or lightheadedness. There are many things that canthem alone - even if the room is packed. This means
cause fear of public speaking. Social anxiety canthat you bring your spouse along with you, or bring a
cause a fear of public speaking. It may also be causedfriend. This must be someone that you are always
by an earlier traumatic public speaking experience.comfortable talking to.
There is no one answer as to why some peopleMany people feel that they must include jokes in their
experience fear of public speaking, but for those whospeeches. Unfortunately, many of these people fear
experience it, the fear is quite real - but it can be dealtthat they are not funny, or that their joke will flop, and
with.this causes more anxiety and fear. If you are worried
There are many tricks a person can use to get pastabout this, omit the jokes from your speech and be
their fear of public speaking. The first trick is to knowserious. The people are there to hear the information,
exactly what you are going to say, but not to worrynot the jokes.
about memorizing every word of your speech. UseIf all else fails - picture everyone in their underwear.
note cards, and write down your key points - inThis is an old standby that really does work. The point
sentences that make sense. This way, if you freezeof doing this exercise is that it makes everyone in the
up and forget what you were going to say, you canroom seem less intimidating. You don't even have to
refer to your notes, and pick up where you left off.picture them in their underwear. Picture them with hair
Use big print on the note cards, and if possible, keep upcurlers in their hair, or picture the men with facial cream
with where you are on the cards during your speech,on their faces. There are a variety of ways that you
so it will be easy to find your place if you need to.can envision them in your head. Before you start the
Once you've prepared and practiced your speech,speech, simply look out over the room, and get that
stop. Put it away, and don't think about it again, until youless intimidating mental picture in your head - but don't
are on the stage, ready to deliver the speech. Oftenlaugh outloud!