We’ve already covered the first 4 tips on overcoming public speaking fear in our earlier article.
In this follow-on article on the same subject we look at three futher tips you use immediately to help overcoming your public speaking fear.
Overcoming Public Speaking Fear – Tip 5
Get to know the room your going to speak in so that you can start to own that space when you stand up to speak.
It’s very easy to feel a bit awkward when you have to deliver a speech in a room you have never been in before. This can reflect in the way you come across and you may give the impression that you are not totally comfortable in your space.
So it’s really helpful if you can get used to the room before you have an audience in front of you.
The way to do this is to go into the room when it’s empty and just walk around the space – familiarising yourself with the size of the room. Also look at where your audience will be seated in relation to where you will be standing. In this way you will start to feel that the space actually belongs to you and you have ownership of it. When you actually come to delivering your speech you feel and look more relaxed in your space.
Overcoming Public Speaking Fear – Tip 6
Visualise yourself succeeding. The vast majority of people at the event want you to do well and they want to enjoy the experience. So remember that they are on your side.
To help you visualise yourself delivering a really good speech, imagine the ideal scenario when you are speaking to your audience and it is all going very well. Ask yourself the following questions:
- “How do I look? - You will probably be looking confident, calm and engaging.
- “How does my voice sound? - You are probably sounding clear, interesting and convincing.
- “How am I feeling?” - You will be feeling relaxed, energised and in control.
In doing this exercise you have engaged with the three most powerful senses:-
visual (seeing). auditory (hearing), kinaesthetic (feeling).
The brain finds it difficult to distinguish between strong imagination and reality and so by using your imagination, you have kid your brain that you have actually completed a successful presentation. When you come to do the presentation, it will feel like a deja-vu situation – that you have already done it very well.
Overcoming Public Speaking Fear – Tip 7
And remember that when your heart is pounding away at the beginning, some deep controlled breaths before you stand up to speak can work wonders at reducing the negative effects of adrenalin and help you relax and start to actually enjoy the experience.
It’s very simple to develop a deeper, more sustained breathing pattern. Focus on breathing out for as long as possible. You can do this sitting, standing or walking down a corridor. When you have expelled all the air from your lungs then let the breath in happen naturally. This will help to keep your breathing calm and controlled.
Feel the tension leave the body on the out-breath. As the tension is released from your body, you should also feel your heart calm and the pounding feelings will subside. Try to keep you chest and shoulders relaxed as you breathe as this will also help you to sustain a calmer, more controlled breathing pattern.
Focus on taking a few deep breaths before you start to speak. By being in control of the way you breathe, you will find it easier to control the build up of nervous energy in the body.
And finally …
The key thing to remember is that almost everyone can overcome their fear of public speaking and live to enjoy the success it can bring.
And with the right coaching and experience you too can succeed.