7 Ways to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking

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The fear of public speaking is one of the most common fears. A lot of adults and kids have this fear. Some of them are afraid of public speaking even more than death itself. Most people live with this fear all their life. The reason behind this is that public speaking is an underrated skill that can’t be learnt without motivation and proper guidance. Most schools and colleges don’t provide public speaking training to their students. That’s why most of the students have stage fear. Public speaking is imperative for each and every person irrespective of his/her age or profession. It can boost your confidence level, helping you to succeed at job interviews. It can also help you grow in your profession because with help of your public speaking skills, you will be able to deliver effective presentations and seminars. As a confident speaker you might be very comfortable breaking the ice with strangers. This can help you expand your social circle and improve your personal life. Here are some ways which can help you overcome your fear of public speaking.

1. Speak in public

The best way to train yourself in public speaking is to address the public! You can write down an impressive speech and gather your family members. You can give a speech in front of them and later in front of hundreds of people. If you wait to fight back your fear, then it will only get more intense. You can enroll yourself in public speaking groups, clubs or organizations.

2. Tell your mind that you can speak in public

Mind is the most powerful part of your body. You actually become what you think about all day long. This statement is absolutely true when it comes to public speaking. People have preconceived notions about the things they can do and the things they can’t do. So, don’t say, “I am a terrible speaker” unless you have given at least 5 speeches. Don’t assume that you are not good at speaking in public before trying it.

3. Practice makes a man perfect

Practice your speech around 15 to 20 times before you deliver it. This will alleviate the jitters you feel on the day of your speech. Practice prepares you and makes you more confident. It trains your mind so that the speck turns out well. You will surely feel more relaxed after practicing your speech a few times.

4. Know who your audiences are

Find out information about your audience. It is human nature to feel nervous when it comes to trying new things. You may have felt nervous before tasting sea food for the first time or before speaking to your classmate sitting next to you. Similarly, when you speak in front of a group of strangers for the first time, you feel nervous. You won’t be fearful while giving the same speech in front of your friends. So, try and mingle with some people in the audience before starting your speech. This makes you feel that your audiences are humans like you and not aliens from another planet.

5. Reach out to like-minded people

Find out some like-minded people in your school, college, neighborhood or public speaking group. These people can be supportive of you because they are going through the same phase or because they have experienced something similar in their past. This makes you feel that you are not alone when it comes to stage fear. This will also make you feel inspired by people who have transformed from a timid speaker to a confident one. If they can speak in public confidently then you can speak as well.

6. Use criticism to improve your skills

Thank the people who compliment and criticize you. The more successful you are, the more criticism you will get from people around. So, learn to handle criticism with a positive attitude. Consider negative feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow. Don’t quit because of it.

7. Don’t forget to celebrate your success

Don’t take your success for granted. You must reward yourself for a good speech regardless of the number and type of audiences involved in it. Give yourself a pat on the back for trying your best and for having the courage to get over stage fear. This will motivate you for the next public speech.