Public Speaking

 

Public Speaking Anxiety - How to overcome it

Public speaking anxiety is similar to the fear of public speaking. There are some differences though between the two. And in most cases the two are connected to each other.

Here is the definition of the word fear from the dictionary:

“An unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger (1) : an instance of this emotion (2) : a state marked by this emotion”

And here is a definition of the word anxiety from the dictionary:

“An abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one’s capacity to cope with it”

An analysis of these two definitions show that anxiety can cause quirks in the delivery of our speech.

Usually those who have public speaking anxiety experience certain side effects. They sweat profusely while they are speaking publicly and need the assistance of a handkerchief. Others may have trouble with stuttering when they are speaking publicly this despite not having trouble with stuttering at any other time.

So as these demonstrations show us anxiety of public speaking is more like an extension of fear of public speaking. Finding the switch to calm down those fears and anxieties need not be difficult.

Here’s what you have to do, and it falls somewhere in the lines of overcoming fear of public speaking as well. You have to find something anything whatever it may be that you enjoy about public speaking. Is it the fact that what you have to say is going to benefit someone? Think about one person in your audience that your information is going to change their life. If you don’t get up on that stage and tell that audience what you have to say someone is going to seriously miss out in their life. Pump yourself up like an athlete does before a professional game.

Here’s another public speaking tip to help your anxiety. It’s time no longer to think of yourself inwardly but think of the others out there in your audience. If you can think more about your audience than you do about yourself you’re going to cut down on that anxiety. You’ll see true purpose and good that will come from your public speaking. And that anxiety of public speaking will start tumbling down.

You may even need to find an activity, play a sport, watch a movie, play a video game, work a puzzle, go shopping, take a walk anything that will get your mind off the anxiety of public speaking. Do something you have fun with. Otherwise you’re going to drive yourself to an insanity constantly putting yourself in that nervous anticipation.

Mark on your calendar when it is that you need to start preparing for your public speaking and the time beforehand do what ever it takes not to be anxious or concerned over your public speaking.

View your public speaking as a challenge or project that you’re up to the task to master. Your mindset will change from public speaking anxiety to public speaking achievement.