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Submitted by Fred Berni on Wed, 10/22/2008 - 12:34.

Take the Terror Out of Talking


Your voice waivers and your knees quiver. Breathing is difficult. Your heart pounds so hard it feels as if it's going to jump out of your mouth. Your mind is blank. Beads of sweat form on your forehead.


Does this sound familiar? No, it's not love -- just symptoms of anxiety. It is common for both experienced and inexperienced speakers to feel nervous about giving a speech. However, the experienced speaker knows how to control these symptoms and appear confident in front of an audience. Tonight, I'll give you a few tips on how to manage your anxiety.


Do you remember your first day at a new job? You were probably nervous, not knowing what to expect. People fear the unknown. People fear public speaking because it is a new experience and they are afraid they will appear foolish or else bore the audience.


Stage fright is common to speakers. But stage fright, or nervous energy is valuable if used properly. An increased heart rate, butterflies in the stomach and the shakes are all symptoms of nervous energy. Stage fright is directly related to how we perceive a situation. How do you change your perception that giving a speech is a fearful situation? There are three methods:



  1. Experience -- Studies show that one of the best methods to reduce anxiety is to simply practice. Repeatedly giving speeches reduces fear and helps to build confidence. You will soon realize that the audience is not bored, but is actually supportive.

  2. Mental Rehearsal -- If you imagine yourself giving an effective speech, you can experience giving a speech as if it actually happened. With this successful speech in your memory, the likelihood of presenting a successful speech increases. This technique is frequently used by public speakers and other peak performers in business, sports and the theatre.

  3. Relaxation Techniques -- Nervousness can cause shortness of breath. Breathing from the diaphragm can help. This reduces your shortness of breath and supports your voice for better projection and resonance.


Remember, even if you are nervous, in most cases, your audience will not notice. Practice the above techniques and you will soon develop confidence in your speechmaking.