Getting Use to Public Speaking

I thought of it as a gift; a talent that was lacking in me. Public speaking wasn’t a skill that could be learned and mastered. It was the catalyst promoting fear that took the shape of a racing heart, shaky voice, uncontrolled breathes, and sweats. I despised the reaction and so, brought forth the method of avoidance. However, this method wasn’t always successful, as avoidance only impedes the fear. Public speaking obligations never ceased to find me, and I would suffer through hating the performance. It wasn’t until I accepted a position at work that required the act of presenting in front of a crowd regularly that I tried to find a different approach to the fear of public speaking.

“Practice makes perfect”- This approach did not work for me, because it required practicing something that wasn’t enjoyable.

“Imagine the audience naked or in an uncomfortable state”- I simply have no desire to attempt this approach.

“Look at their foreheads”- I do this unconsciously. While it does provide a distraction, it doesn’t stop the physiological panic.

“Hold an item in your hand to squeeze or pitch yourself to deflect focus”- I do this unconsciously, as well. And much like looking at their foreheads, while providing a distraction, the panic is still evident.

The method that I ultimately landed on wasn’t an approach at all, but rather, acceptance. I will always have a fear and dislike of public speaking. Why try to find a work around it? I came across a Ted Talk that said, “get use to public speaking like you got use to driving.” The risk of an accident never diminishes the more you drive, but you don’t avoid driving because you fear the risk. It’s like saying that practice makes perfect, however, thinking of it this way clicked better in my mind. So, now I find myself, no longer running from public speaking opportunities, instead, open to receiving them. After receiving it, I can present with the intent to give to the audience. Whereas, previously, I would present with the mindset of taking from the audience, criticism, thinking the worst outcome would be the only result.

Other tips I found to be helpful:

4 Tips to Improve Your Public Speaking – How to CAPTIVATE an Audience

1. Show to give not to take.

2. Authenticity engages. You must know yourself before you speak, because the audience can feel realness.

3. Awareness connects you to the audience. Have situational awareness, because sometimes things will not go as planned.

4. You must be bold to deliver something that is informative. Deliver a story. A story has the capacity to paint a picture in the human mind. Never tell a story without making a point; never make a point without a story.

Stage fright: Don’t get over it; get used to it. | Anwesha Banerjee | TEDxDecatur

Until next time,

Alisia Latoi