Mastering Public Speaking

You’ve been selected to be part of a school play, have an important presentation to give (that might help get that dream job) or have been selected to give a speech for graduation day, do any of these situations sound remotely familiar? Whether in school, college or at the workplace, all of us have had to face a situation where we might have had to speak before a small or large audience. It all seems fine until, suddenly an unknown fear of stage fright or public speaking exposes itself. Don’t worry, you’re not alone, public speaking is said to be amongst the biggest fears of people even more than flying, sickness and even at times death. Discussed here are a few tips and tricks on how you could reduce your stage fright or anxiety before a big (or small) public presentation and master the art of public speaking.

Before the big speech day-Prepare yourself in advance

1. Shift the focus from yourself and your fear to your true purpose contributing something of value to your audience.

2. Start by writing your speech down. Do the necessary research and get enough information about the related topic.

3. Once you have your speech written on paper, it gets easier to focus on what you want to talk about.

4.Proof read your speech and change anything if necessary.

5. Then read it aloud to hear your voice.

6. After this practice, practice and practice. Practice in front of a mirror, friends and family to reduce the anxiety.

7. Take their feedback and make necessary changes.

On Speech Day

1.Stop scaring yourself with thoughts about what might go wrong. Instead, focus your attention on thoughts and images that are calming and reassuring. Refuse to think thoughts that create self-doubt and low confidence.

2. Practice ways to calm and relax your mind and body, such as deep breathing, relaxation exercises, yoga, and meditation.

3. Exercise, eat well, and practice other healthful lifestyle habits. Try to limit caffeine, sugar, and alcohol as much as possible.

4. Visualize your success. Always focus on your strength and ability to handle challenging situations.

5. Make connections with your audience: Smile and greet people, thinking of them as friends rather than enemies.

6. Stand or sit in a self-assured, confident posture. Remain warm and open and make eye contact.

7. Give up trying to be perfect and know that it is OK to make mistakes. But most importantly, be natural, be yourself.

The first time is always the hardest but by conquering your fear, you are able to overcome stage anxiety, build trust in yourself and find it easier to express yourself in front of a large audience. Follow some of these tips and rest assured you would be on your way to giving a great speech or presentation. Once the speech or presentation is done and a roaring applause follows, you realise, it isn’t that hard after all.