Overcome Your Fear Of Public Speaking

Tired of being held back by your fear of public speaking? If this applies to you, then you’ve probably been given plenty of advice and already know all the usual tricks to get over this fear. Some work better than others. But it seems that no strategy really helps to solve this problem, doesn’t it? So in this article, we’re sharing three new strategies for overcoming your fear of public speaking once and for all.

For these techniques to work, it is essential that you know exactly what you are going to say. You should know it almost word for word by heart. If you are afraid of speaking in public, it is extremely important that you know your text through and through.

1. Confront your fear of public speaking with the ‘worst nightmare technique’

The worst nightmare technique is a very useful strategy for overcoming your fear of public speaking. It is an exercise where you try to control your worries. This exercise is part of the Brief Strategic Therapy method. Start a week before you have to speak in public and then do the following exercise every day:  

‘Every day, lock yourself in a room where there is little light and you cannot be disturbed. Lock the door if you can, so you can be sure no one can break in. Then set a 30-minute timer on your mobile phone. Sit back and try to focus on feeling your fear of public speaking for thirty minutes.

Instead of avoiding your fear, think about all those things that worry you most at the thought of speaking in public. Let all that fear flow. After the thirty minutes are up and the alarm goes off, interrupt your thoughts and feelings by saying “STOP!” to say. Get up, leave the room, go to the bathroom, wash your face and go about your day and your activities. ”

2. Share your fear, reveal your ‘weakness’

This strategy should be applied as you begin your speech or presentation. If you are afraid of speaking in public, the most effective thing you can do is share and confess your fear. Explain to your audience that you are very enthusiastic. That you are happy that they are there and that you can count on their presence.

Then focus on the following: Ask your audience to forgive you if you lose your train of thought or get a little nervous. Say that this is only happening because you enjoy doing this presentation so much. And that you enjoy having them as an audience.

By making your fear or weakness negotiable, you free yourself from the pressure it causes to keep this fear hidden. This strategy ensures that you are no longer concerned with making sure that no one can see that you are afraid and that your fear goes unnoticed.

When you are open about a weakness, it becomes a strength. Plus, you connect with your audience and appeal to their empathy. Remember that a large part of the population suffers from social anxiety disorder and/or a fear of public speaking.

Your audience will understand what you mean and the tension will disappear from the environment. All of this will help you overcome your fear of public speaking to a great extent.

3. Control your breathing and start talking very slowly

Controlling your breathing is one of the most useful tools for overcoming your fear of public speaking. You should focus on deep breathing and practice diaphragmatic breathing (from your stomach instead of your chest). When you focus all your senses on your breathing, you will no longer be aware of your nervousness and anxiety.

Do your best to speak very slowly when you begin your speech or presentation. That way you improve the neurological feedback that talking produces. This way you will be able to control your anxiety more effectively. By speaking slowly, you block out the symptoms of anxiety and distance yourself from them. This is because you are focusing your attention on something neutral, such as the rhythm of your voice.

These are some of the most useful strategies for overcoming your fear of public speaking. They work well in cases of ‘fear,’ but not really if you suffer from a true ‘phobia’ (extremely intense and crippling fear). However, if you have a phobia of public speaking, these strategies will help you sort yourself through it. If you are simply afraid of public speaking, practice these strategies and you will see that you gradually overcome this fear. You can do it!