WHY PUBLIC SPEAKING TERRORIZES US

Public speaking 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐬 nearly 30% of people, with up to 75% experiencing some level of 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 when faced with the idea of public speaking.

I was among those terrified so know the thought-stopping nature of the fear.

👉🏼 Heart starts racing.
👉🏼 Can’t think of the right words.
👉🏼 Thinking people will laugh at you.
👉🏼 And wanting to run away.

Fear of public speaking has many causes, but the main reason we fear it is the 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐞 in front of others. We don’t want to be negatively judged. And there is something about public speaking, whether in a small meeting or large gathering, that brings out this fear in such a painful way.

Having been there, I know something can be done about it.

Although there are numerous techniques for reducing speaking anxiety, here are three that I know personally work for long-term impact across a wide variety of anxiety and personality types:

✅Gradual Exposure: Set your own mini-goals. By incrementally exposing yourself to speaking situations you can help lower your anticipatory anxiety levels. Begin with something simple, such as being the first to ask a quick clarification question in front of a group. Work up to helping with a presentation, and so on.

✅Support Groups: Yes, find someone or a group to share your anxiety with. This “safe space” to share your experiences also allows you to learn from others. Learning how others cope with your same feelings can offer amazing insights on your journey.

✅Journaling: I’m a big fan of keeping an anxiety journal to better identify patterns and triggers leading to the anxious feelings. By writing out your feelings you end up with long term insights, and also can see the progress you are making.

These aren’t instant relief. These are for long-term growth, and are ways to help permanently reduce the anxiety felt in speaking situations.

Have you tried any of these, or have others that have worked for you?

#publicspeaking, #leadership, and #resilience.