Overcoming the Fear Factor in Public Speaking

By Bradlley Mckoy

You're asked to go to the front of the class to discuss the angst of Proust's literary work or to demonstrate how a pulley works. You're confident about the topic. It's the thought of speaking in front of the class that terrifies you, yet there's no escape. How to survive? Here is how.

You Can Do It

Learning public speaking is like an attempt to conquer Mt. Everest. It takes some spunk before you can speak to a crowd without quaking or freezing up. Well, it's a humbling experience to accept that you're no orator or charismatic speaker, and it takes courage to do something about it.

Eventually, after much effort at learning public speaking, you'll be ready to take on the world. You won't be lighting too many cigarettes with one of your Zippo lighters before a speaking engagement. Not anymore.

How to go about it? You have several options. Sign up with Toastmasters International, discreetly look around for speech tutors, or join a drama group. Or, you can purchase e-books on public speaking, which you can learn at home behind locked doors.

With persistence, you can beat the fear factor in public speaking. It may take a while, but people will soon notice that you're becoming a confident and lively speaker. This development will be good for your class presentations and your chances for future employment, so these should be enough motivation for you.

Speech Problems You Can Correct

Stuttering has caused millions of people to agonize over this speech disorder. People who stutter find it difficult to get the sounds out, and they end up repeating part of a word. 'Water' is 'wawawater', and they get all red when they catch knowing smiles. But with speech therapy and the support of your family, you can get past this problem.

Cluttering is the opposite of stuttering. Someone who clutters talks too fast in spurts, sounding jerky, or is simply unsure of what he or she wants to say because of the long pauses between words.

Mispronunciation - People laugh or feel awkward when they hear a public speaker mispronounce words. A structured session at the speech laboratory with a speech therapist can solve the problem.

Unnecessary fillers - If you count the number of times you say "uh" in your speech, you might be astounded at your propensity to dispense with speech fillers.

Regional accents - You shouldn't be ashamed of your regional accent, but sometimes the embarrassment caused is worse than the fear of catching a deadly virus.

Weak voice - Finding yourself repeating a word to be heard? Blame this on a small weak voice, but vocal exercises can strengthen your vocal muscles. Having a medical professional evaluate the condition can also detect serious respiratory or other ailments.

Nasal voice - You have a nasal voice if you are talking though your nose. Just pinch your nose and speak, if you have trouble releasing your voice, then you are nasal as they come.

Where to Go From Here

Get a book about public speaking and join organizations like Toastmasters and Speaking Circles. Joining a speaking group is more interesting than practicing before a mirror.

You'll meet more people and forge new friendships, learn from the experience of others, and get good advice. In the aftermath of all your struggles, you might start talking non-stop - but that is another disorder.

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How To Overcome The Fear Of Public Speaking

By Pete Connelly

It has been said that in past surveys the number one fear for people is the fear of public speaking, the number three fear is dying; well does that evidence mean that people would rather die than speak in public. Whether the surveys are correct or not there is little doubt that for most people speaking in public is a real fear, something they would try to avoid at all costs.

If you are one of those people do not despair, help is at hand, please read on.

I think the first thing to recognise is that you are not alone other people have felt like you, you are not, weak, dumb or any other self limiting believe you may conjure up to heap on yourself. Yes, you do feel this almost paralysing fear about speaking in public, it doesn't matter what it is, a family gathering or wedding, maybe a presentation at work to colleagues or a school oral examination its their waiting and how will you overcome this fear of public speaking.

To start off the process realise that the time prior to speaking is study time not worry time, yes you will feel anxious but now is not the time, remember an anxious mind with not see clearly. Preparation is a major part of the plan.

So first things first, what are you to speak about, now is the time to learn your subject whatever that is, understand your topic, become familiar with the detail, set yourself up to win.

Having done that any story, presentation, talk will have three parts, they are

1/ The start or opening

2/ The middle, the meat in the sandwich so to speak

3/ The end. Conclusion, closing again whatever you want to call it

You can now set it out in a way that best fits with you, some people will have bullet points on 3x5 card, other may write it out in full, maybe power point is other peoples preferred solution to presenting. What ever you feel most comfortable with or least uncomfortable with you do it that way.

The next step is always to run through it, for timing, your feel for the talk and of course practice, these little steps are simple not rocket science and followed will position you well for the day.

The Day arrives, make no mistake here however well prepared you are you will feel nervous, anxious mouth dry all physical as well as emotional symptoms, that's a sign you are alive and normal. I always like to get in the room, get the feel and then whatever the size of the room, in my mind I try to see it as me lounge at home, a few friends present and nothing to fear.

If it is there are other speakers and they seem calm and collected don't do the comparison game, your insides with their outsides. It's not a fair comparison, focus on you, your breathing, your inner conversation, you are prepared, and you know your topic and now its time.

The fear of public speaking is now about to be truly tested, fear is at its greatest and guess what before you know it it's all over, it went quickly you cant remember all you said but you have done it, well done.

Peters is a leading motivational speaker and inspirational trainer.

His success is built on using 25 years of deep rooted fears and failures as stepping stones on a Journey from fear to faith which produced great results.... Today his deep passion and purpose is in helping others see themselves bigger than their current circumstances.

His website http://www.fear-to-faith.com is a valuable resource to overcome fear and move forward with possibility thinking

Peter currently has a free download of the highly successful Think And Grow Rich available for a limited time

Grab your copy today while its still free!

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Public Speaking Fears transformed into Energy, Passion and Authority in Only Five Minutes

By Jesai Jayhmes

Coming up to a big media event where you have to look and sound like you know what you are talking about? Are you feeling anxiety, terror, dread? Worried that you will black out? Go blank? Stutter? Say something stupid? all on national TV? Do you fear that your 15 Minutes of Fame might be the last breath you ever breathe?

You are not alone. Many, many people have huge fears around public speaking... and those fears are justified! History is strewn with the corpses of former "experts" who met an untimely demise at the hands of the masses.

What do you do to calm your nerves? Take a Valium? Don't think so. You might just fall off the chair and disappear under the podium. Imagine everyone naked? Doesn't work for me. I can't keep a straight face.

How do you rise above the jitters, and profoundly affect your listeners?

I am going to tell you the best secret I know. It has worked for me countless times, on screen and live. It is something that you practice in your sleep, something that you can not live without, and best of all it is absolutely *Free*. Are you taking this in? Can you guess? Are you still breathing?

YES, that's it! It's as simple as that! BREATHING! Every unconscious breath you take (about 26,000 times a day) either winds you up or calms you down. "Conscious" breathing, however, restores clarity, making challenging interviews seem like a breeze.

Take just 5 minutes prior to the event to sit quietly upright and breathe, whether in your parked car, a bathroom stall, or the green room in the studio. This will make a huge positive impact on your "star" power. You will inform, inspire and transform others when you are out there under the lights.

Turn your attention to your breath (this is what makes it conscious) and allow your inhale and exhale to become slow, deep and effortless without pushing or forcing. Allow each breath to be a little deeper. You are bringing more oxygen into your brain, which enables you to think clearly. Your lungs massage your heart allowing you to be open and genuine. Even your churning stomach is calmed by the slow movement of your breathing. You are able to respond to questions with passion, sincerity and authority, which create a captivating experience for your host, your audience and you. Five minutes may feel like a long time to do "nothing"... but it is the best five minutes you can invest.

Don't let your fears paralyze you. Pay attention to the very activity that gives you life...and remember the words of the philosopher, "I Breathe Therefore I Am."

Jesai Jayhmes
Author

Copyright © 2008 Jesai Jayhmes all rights reserved.

You may print this articles free and intact including copyright and contact info.

Jesai Jayhmes is a voice coach, public speaker, actor and director with 30 years international experience training top seminar presenters, actors, teachers, sales people and CEO's. His unique voice fitness program can be found at http://www.yourvoiceworkout.com/ and you can contact him at info@jesaijayhmes.com. You can find voice and public speaking podcast tips by Jesai by searching Jesai Jayhmes podcast.

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