Public Speaking NY

Fear of Public Speaking

Fear of Public Speaking
It's Only Natural
By Neal M. Sher

Your heart is racing and your palms start to sweat; your mouth is parched and your tongue seems paralyzed; the legs feel like rubber and you are convinced that, at any moment, you're going to faint. What is it then? Getting on an airplane? Meeting your tough new boss? Waiting to see the doctor? No, none of the above.

You're being introduced to speak in public!

Welcome to the club. You are not alone. In fact, there have been many studies which confirm that most people fear having to speak in public more than almost anything else. Some have actually said that they dread it even more than the thought of dying! While that might be a bit of an exaggeration, there is no question that the prospect of speaking in front of others can be daunting. More specifically, we've found that before a speech many people conjure up what I describe as a "Murphy's List" of things that might possibly go wrong, including:

• Losing your train of thought in mid-stream
• Forgetting a key point
• Mispronouncing words
• Opening your mouth, but nothing comes out
• Failing to hold the audience's attention
• Imagining that no one in the audience knows what you are talking about or, worse yet, that they disagree with everything you have to say
• Breaking out in a sweat to ensure that everyone knows how nervous you are
• Being convinced that you are the subject of ridicule and you will never again be able to show your face in public
• Worrying about hostile questions from the audience
  
  And so, many people ask themselves: Is there any possible way that way that I can deliver and effective speech or presentation if I get so nervous?

The answer is a resounding ABSOLUTELY! Like anything else that is important, it takes work. I can assure you, however, that the results will be well worth the effort.

The first step in overcoming your fear is to remember a very basic point: Everyone, and I mean everyone, to one degree or another, experiences a bout with nerves before getting up to speak before an audience. It's only natural. It matters not how many speeches you've delivered in the past, or for that matter how many times you've given the same speech, if you don't feel some anxiety, something is definitely wrong. I have appeared on many public panels in which the participants were sophisticated and successful leaders in business, government and academia who are routinely called on to speak in public. I have always been struck by the fact that most, if not all, of even the most polished of communicators exhibit some degree of nervousness before they get up to speak. And they will tell you as much.

Each and every one of them will tell you that the key to success is not only to overcome these normal jitters, but to actually make them work to your advantage. Have no doubt, it can be done.

First of all, forget the silly little gimmicks. They not only won't work, they can wreak havoc. For my money, there are three words that best summarize the most effective way to keep fear in check and boost your confidence to deliver an effective speech: preparation, preparation and preparation.

Our seminars will help you direct the natural fear of public speaking in a positive energy which will sharpen your performance and boost your confidence. You might even enjoy yourself in the process.