How to Speak Without Fear
Why are some people totally comfortable speaking in front of a group but so many of the rest of us are shaking in our boots?
That question was posed on an Internet forum and it started me thinking. Why are some people so afraid to speak in front of more than 3 people that they'll do anything to avoid it, including not taking a promotion, refusing to attend networking events where they have to describe themselves in 60 seconds or less, give a wedding toast or even deliver a holiday speech at the annual end of the year festivities?
I used to be one of those, "I'm not going to do it, no way, no how" individuals who thought I would faint in front of a crowd. Wrong, wrong, wrong! Even though I white-knuckled it and forced myself to do it when I had to, I knew there had to be a better way. What did professional public speakers know that I didn't?
After 15 years as a speaker's coach and speechwriter, I believe there are three basic fears:
- Making a mistake, saying something wrong, forgetting something important
- Being judged, criticized, disapproved of, humiliated or ridiculed
- Feeling like a fraud, not good enough, or not deserving to be standing in front of the group at all
All of these are very real fears and most of us have experienced one or more of them at various times. But here's the thing: