Public Speaking 101
The major reason people fear public speaking is simple.....stage fright! When you're giving a speech, you're essentially "on stage"....which means you can mess up.....and "look stupid". It's not giving the speech that you really fear, it's the possibility that you'll mess up.
So, for starters, how do you deal with stage fright? You see, I can give you all kinds of great pointers on giving a great speech. The problem is that I would only be treating the symptom, rather than dealing directly with the cause. If you don't learn to effectively handle stage fright, all the technicals about a wonderful speech won't matter.
The first key is actually simple, and somewhat counter intuitive. Stop telling yourself not to be nervous. That's right, let yourself be a little frightened! Why? Because it's normal. Even professional speakers get nervous. After all, they are being paid to deliver a certain message to a given audience. If they fail, their speaking revenue plummets.
If you tell yourself not to be nervous, what will you be? Nervous! Your subconscious mind only understands commands given in the affirmative. It doesn't recognize "don't". As an example, if I asked you not to picture a pink elephant, what "picture" will your mind automatically come up with? A pink elephant! Your subconscious only understood "pink elephant", and that's what it told your conscious mind to picture.
Be a little scared. It's ok. The trick is to teach yourself how to control the nerves, to let the butterflies "fly in formation". How do you do that? One way is to concentrate on your message, rather than how nervous you are. Effective speakers focus on the message they are trying to impart on their audience. They understand that nerves are simply part of the process, so they don't give more attention to them than necessary.
As a disability advocate and speaker, I have been called on to give presentations in three different parts of the country. Sure I was nervous, but I had a message to give to my audience. A message that was important, and that they needed to hear. By focusing on the message, I actually started looking forward to being "on stage". You don't need to be a disability advocate, but you do need to care deeply about whatever message you're imparting through a speech.
Next time, we'll talk about the greatest subject you can possibly talk about. In fact, you're already an expert on it. Stay tuned....
Recent Comments
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If you haven't seen this book yet, I highly recommend it. It was written by a high school friend who has moved in other circles than I. The title is "There's no such Thing as Public Speaking"
I sent you a private message, challenge12. Was very interested in your experience with network marketing.
Thanks, Kyle. It really means a lot coming from you. Stay tuned for the rest of the series.
challenge12, thanks for the comment. Glad I could help. Stay tuned for the rest of the series.
This was really good, I have to prepare myself for presentations and this has helped me alot.
I just saw a pink elephant!
This is a great post and me being one that has always had a problem with public speaking (not as bad now as it used to be), I think you hit the nail on the head. If you think about "not being able to do something" you think about that one thing....not being able to do it. There is always a pink elephant in the room for people that are not great at public speaking but it does not have to be this way.
Excellent advice. Totally agree with you - nervousness and excitement and virtually the same energy. I can barely tell the difference. So when the jitters hit just before I'm about to go up to speak, I just take a deep breath and smile and the excitement comes through. My nerves seem to keep me on edge and I speak better as a result. As long as I'm well-prepared or I know my subject inside-out, public speaking is one of my favourite things to do.