Do you often think that you’re alone and you have a fear of stumbling when you get on the stage or a fear of forgetting everything you have prepared for the speech?
The simple answer is No, you are not alone. More than half of every hundred people struggle with these issues. It’s a common experience, and that’s not something to feel wrong about.
Glossophobia: Fear of public speaking
Glossophobia, a term that encapsulates the state of feeling nervous or worrying when you speak in front of a group of people, is a common yet often misunderstood condition.
Research has revealed that a significant 40% of Americans experience glossophobia, which can manifest in symptoms such as sweating, dizziness, or nausea. These feelings can arise before or during a speech or even when making eye contact with the audience.
The path to overcoming your fear of Public Speaking is right in front of you: it’s about practising speaking in public and effective communication in the right way. This journey can help you grow and develop, and there are several strategies that can guide you along the way.
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Recondition and Reprogram
“What if I stumble? What if I forgot everything I had prepared? What if?…” These fears often occupy our minds before any speech.
The only way to overcome such things lies in public speaking and making yourself do things that scare you to a large extent—public speaking and effective communication assist in reconditioning and reprogramming your life and persona.
Being an effective communicator in front of people lets you break limitations by challenging yourself and turning your weaknesses or fears into strengths. The skill of public speaking allows your thoughts to speak through words, and the result is an evolution in yourself that is counted among the best feelings ever.
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Be in Conversational Mode
Instead of thinking of speaking in front of the public as a performance, step into conversational mode. Being in a performance mode constantly pressures you to do things right and instils the fear of saying something wrong during your speech. So, connect with the audience so that it doesn’t feel like a burden to be on the stage and you feel confident enough.
Performance leads to nothing. Expressing our thoughts in front of others always helps us become actual public speakers and assists in overcoming the fear of public speaking. It’s always about connecting with the people we’re speaking in front of that defines our speech and public speaking skills.
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Shift your Focus
The biggest myth about avoiding eye contact with the audience while delivering your thoughts and messages is that humans think avoiding looking at them makes us speak more fluently, but it’s not true.
Shifting your focus from how you’re talking to connecting with the audience is the real solution to letting go of any anxiety or nervousness and overcoming your fear of public speaking.
Public speaking is a skill, not a talent, so instead of thinking about finishing the speech as soon as possible because of that fear, think about how to inspire the audience with your words. You’ll see how things align in the right place. It will stop your overthinking and make you a good speaker.
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Be Patience and Embrace your Flaws
Your body language, facial expressions, and speaking style define how you nail any speech.
Putting on a natural smile lets you go of the inner fear of public speaking and enhances your belief in delivering a good speech. It helps release good-feeling endorphins and calms you down by giving a rest to the hustle in your mind.
Don’t worry if you make a minor mistake and let yourself down by thinking the damage is done. Instead of thinking about the mistake, have a comeback that reflects the patience you have within yourself. It’s okay not to be okay, and you can overcome your fear of public speaking by smiling and embracing your flaws.
CONCLUSION
Public Speaking should be considered a conversation instead of a performance. You’ll feel different when you let go of the thought that you are performing in front of a big group of people. This will not only help you eliminate your fear of Public Speaking but also let you express your thoughts and message better.
Remember, Public Speakers are not born but made, and it’s a Life Skill that anyone can acquire through deep practice. By encouraging, enlightening, and inspiring people through their talks, they help give their lives more meaning.
So, overcome your fear of Public Speaking and be the World-Class Speaker who rules the stage.