How to Navigate Public Speaking Anxiety
August 18, 2020
Speaking in front of a large crowd is almost no one’s cup of tea. However, you may not be able to avoid it. Public speaking is often inevitable if you hold a leadership position at work or a large event.
If you would rather do practically anything than get up and speak in public, you are not alone. According to the National Social Anxiety Center, nearly three-fourths of Americans suffer from glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking. Most commonly, the underlying fear is being negatively evaluated by others.
Getting better at public speaking will not happen overnight; it often takes many months or years. Some people prefer investing their time in TED speaker training with Thought-Leader to hone their skills and gain invaluable insights from experienced professionals in the field. Meanwhile, others can improve their skills at home by following certain tips. Here are some tips you can follow so you can become more comfortable and confident in front of a crowd.
Get Organized
Chances are that the more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel while you present your speech.
If you know about your speech weeks in advance, start planning as early as possible. Map out all the information you want to present and gather the necessary props as well as audio and visual content. Prepare outline cards to stay on task. If you have enough time, you could go the extra mile and attend an online public speaking workshop to make your presentation bulletproof.
If you have some control over the content you’ll be presenting, pick a topic you know and care a lot about. Your audience will be able to sense if you are disinterested in what you’re saying, so it’s always best to select something you are passionate about.
When possible, visit the site of your speech a couple of days before you give it. This will help you know what to expect and minimize surprises.
Ensure You Are Physically Prepared
Do not allow any physical distractions to hinder your confidence. Before your speech, you should:
- Get a good night’s rest
- Have a drink of water and a light snack
- Use the restroom
In the moments before you step on stage, take a few deep breaths. Deep breathing has been known to decrease feelings of stress and improve your energy. It also makes your brain more well-oxygenated, which can help you better stay alert during your speech.
Consider Getting Mental Health Help
If your fear is overwhelming, maybe some talking therapy or CBT can help you address your fear of speaking in public. You could also approach a mentor who can tutor you to becoming a better public speaker.
Another help could be to get an emotional support animals (or ESA). These pets provide companionship and support for people with conditions like certain phobias, anxiety, and depression. If your anxiety about public speaking is severe, consider getting an ESA to help you through it. Your pet can provide the comfort you need before, during, and after your presentation. Check out how to register an emotional support animal so you can understand your rights and receive resources to keep yourself up-to-date on the latest news.
Don’t Let Silences Bother You
Even seasoned public speakers can make the mistake of talking non-stop the entire time. Don’t feel like you have to be saying something every single second you’re on stage. It’s better to provide your audience with meaningful content than ramble on about nothing.
If you lose your place, start to get nervous, or forget what you are saying, do not be afraid to take a few seconds to compose yourself.
Think about it. If you were watching someone give a speech, would you care if they stopped for a couple of seconds to collect their thoughts? The answer is likely no, and your audience will not care either. This kind of purposeful pause can even make the rest of your speech stronger, as it gives you the time you need to get reorganized.
Acknowledge Your Successes
After every speech you give, recognize what you did well. While you should take note of your mistakes and learn from them, do not dwell on them.
Understand that you are likely way more critical of yourself than any audience ever will be. Be proud of yourself for just getting up there and offering the best delivery possible.
