How To Overcome Nervousness When Speaking In Public
The fear of public speaking is a common form of anxiety. It can range from slight nervousness to paralyzing fear and panic. Many people with this fear avoid public speaking situations altogether, or they suffer through them with shaking hands and a quavering voice. But with preparation and persistence, you can overcome your fear of speaking in public.
Here is how you can overcome your fear:
1. Know your topic
The better you understand what you’re talking about — and the more you care about the topic — the less likely you’ll make a mistake or get off track. And if you do get lost, you’ll be able to recover quickly. Take some time to consider what questions the audience may ask and have your responses ready.
2. Get organized
Ahead of time, carefully plan out the information you want to present, including any props, audio, or visual aids. The more organized you are, the less nervous you’ll be. Use an outline on a small card to stay on track. If possible, visit the place where you’ll be speaking and review available equipment before your presentation.
3. Get support
Join a public speaking short course that offers support for people who have difficulty with public speaking. Here, you will not only learn from the trainer, but by interacting with other individuals from different sectors, you will be able to gather more skills.
4. Practice, and then practice some more
Practice your complete presentation several times. During the public speaking skills class, you will be able to do it in front of your classmates and get feedback. It may also be helpful to practice with a few people with whom you’re less familiar. Consider making a video of your presentation so you can watch it and see opportunities for improvement.
5. Challenge specific worries
When you’re afraid of something, you may overestimate the likelihood of bad things happening. List your specific worries. Then directly challenge them by identifying probable and alternative outcomes and any objective evidence that supports each worry or the likelihood that your feared outcomes will happen.
6. Visualize your success
Imagine that your presentation will go well. Positive thoughts can help decrease some of your negativity about your social performance and relieve some anxiety.
Nervousness or anxiety in certain situations is normal, and public speaking is no exception.
If you can’t overcome your fear with practice alone, consider taking professional public speaking courses. This will greatly reduce your fear of public speaking.