Are you one of those people that have anxiety attacks before a public speaking event? Fear of public speaking is one of the top social fears found among Americans. Whether it involves speaking up at meetings or in class, this fear can truly wreak havoc in your life. Overcoming this fear can be difficult but is achievable.
Fear of public speaking can be devastating especially if you are operating in a leadership role. It doesn’t have to be a large group of people to be a problem. Conquering this fear can help you to grow in your role as a leader. It can open the door to other prospective jobs or advancement in your current job that you may want to work at. In order to truly achieve a personal connection with others being able to speak to communicate your ideas and concerns is a must.
The first step in being able to cope with fear of public speaking involves admitting that the problem truly exists. Attempting to understand this problem is a step in the right direction that will help you to conquer it. Talking with family and friends can help you to work through an understanding of why you have a fear of public speaking. By talking with others you will be able in a sense to face up to your fears.
Learn relaxation techniques that can be used prior to speaking. This can go a long way to helping you when speaking. Don’t just learn the techniques but make sure you are using them before speaking. Some things such as deep breathing can even be done while speaking like during a pause. This helps you to both relax and refocus.
Knowing your material inside out will also help to give you confidence and can go a long way toward helping you to conquer your fears. Effective connecting takes place when you know the material and are prepared to answer questions whenever appropriate. There is nothing wrong with saying “let me get back to you” when you are not sure of an answer to a question. Even those that are experts can get questions ask that they may not have the answers to. Remember interacting with your audience can help you to feel more relaxed when speaking.
Check with your company about hiring a speech coach. Even seeking one out on your on can be extremely helpful for those that have a huge fear of public speaking. Public speaking fears can be overcome, but they must be faced in order to conquer them. Seeking professionals that can help walk you through the process is an excellent way to learn to effectively connect with others without having to worry about public speaking fears.