Were you aware that most people have some level of fear of speaking in public? Some even fear it more than death itself!
If that sounds like you, you’re in good company.
The good news is, there are steps you can take to get over this fear and get through your speech without a hitch. Follow these tips to do just that.
Rehearse Over and Over Again
One of the best things you can do is practice your speech in front of a mirror. Will you feel weird? Probably. But practicing will give you a chance to get familiar with the words and even memorize sections of your speech. If you make mistakes, you can fix them without anyone watching.
Take Deep Breathes to Get Yourself Out of Panic Mode
There’s a reason why deep breathing is a big part of relaxation techniques. If you start to panic when you’re delivering your speech, remember to take deep breaths to help lower your heart rate. Give yourself a pep talk to get your mindset out of the gutter. Be your own cheerleader, and talk yourself into submission. Tell yourself, “You’ve got this. You can do it.” It really works – try it.
Fool Yourself Into Serenity
After giving yourself a pep talk, you can take it a step further and actually trick yourself into submission. This step goes hand in hand with tip #2. Repeat phrases like, “You’re a champ. You can get through this without a hitch.” You’d be amazed at how much you can convince yourself. Come up with a personal mantra that goes against the issue you’re dealing with. You’ll actually start to believe it at some point.
Designate a Few Focus Areas in the Room
You don’t want to have your head buried in your notes during your entire speech. Instead, you want to be able to look up once in a while. That’s where memorizing parts of your speech can come in handy. Pick out 3 spots in the room on which to focus. During the parts that you’ve memorized, you can look up at one of these focal points, making sure to alternate each time. This will make your speech more engaging and interesting.
Smile!
It’s amazing how much a smile can change your mood. By smiling, you can actually elevate your spirits and boost your confidence levels. Frowning will do the opposite, so be sure to make a conscious effort to smile during your speech as much as you can without looking silly. The audience will appreciate looking at a smiling face compared to a sour one.
There you go – these tips have worked for others, and they can work for you too. Go out there, be bold, and wow them with your words of wisdom!
