Nothing To Fear But Fear Itself
Overcoming fear and nervousness to become a self-assured and charismatic speaker

Without a doubt you've heard the old adage that more people are afraid of public speaking than death. Perhaps you're one of many who would rather be anywhere but standing in front of a crowd. The good news is that public speaking can be learned, and overcoming nervousness and fear is far from being an unrealistic goal.

Be Prepared!

Take the Boy Scouts' famous motto to heart and prepare well for your speech. If you really know your subject matter, have studied your audience, have organized your thoughts well and have practiced ahead of time, you'll be more confident going into your talk. When you are sure of yourself, you are far less likely to be thrown by an unexpected question or to lose your train of thought. Remember, you're the expert here! Your audience has gathered to learn something from you. They want to hear what you have to say.

Breathe!

Many people are helped significantly by simple breathing exercises. Practicing the following exercise before you speak will calm your nerves and help you to focus.

1. Breathe in slowly, counting to 6 (one one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand, etc.).
2. Hold your breath for a count of three.
3. Exhale slowly, again while counting to six.

Repeat this exercise as many times as you feel is helpful before each speech. You can also use it before practicing your speech as a way of establishing a pattern for yourself. Predictability breeds comfort, so if this is something that you consider a calming part of your usual routine it will help you even more.

It's All About The Content

Don't pay attention to how you're feeling, pay attention to your information. It's not important that your heart is racing or that your palms are sweating. What's important is how well you are delivering your information and how well your audience is receiving it. Before you even introduce yourself, brace yourself for the physical symptoms of nervousness. Tell yourself that you know your voice may crack or you may feel anxious. When these symptoms do present themselves, you won't feel caught off guard. You will be able to refocus your attention on the speech itself.

Your Audience Is Not The Enemy

Stage fright is very common and most of your audience would run screaming from the auditorium before they'd agree to switch places with you. Your may be surprised to learn that your audience supports you and wants you to succeed. Don't approach your speaking engagement as a "me against them" proposition, even if your purpose in being there is to persuade a group of people to support an unpopular decision or change a long-held belief. The audience may not be on your side from an opinion standpoint, but they are certainly on your side from a human standpoint.

Becoming a self-assured and charismatic speaker takes time, but by following these tips and by developing your own anti-fear tactics along the way you too can join the ranks of power speakers who never seem to break a sweat. Don't let fear stand in your way. Unleash the public speaker within!