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10 steps to
Fearless Public Speaking
Graham Jones
There is plenty of dubious material which suggests you can combat public speaking fear using fancy techniques such as 'visualisation' or 'breathing techniques'. This 10-step-system, however, deals with public speaking fear using your body's natural defences against fear.
STEP ONE
Prepare well. The more prepared you are the more likely you are to feel in control, which will naturally help your nervousness reduce.
STEP TWO
Practise, practise, practise. Don't listen to those who say you can over-practise. Tell that to circus artists who practise day in and day out for decades, just to get their act right. You don't hear actors and musicians complaining they had 'too much' rehearsal time. The more you rehearse the better.
STEP THREE
Say your speech out loud. Whether you are in the bath or going for a walk, say it out loud. Going through your talk 'in your head' means you don't benefit from something called 'psychomotor memory' - whereby the memory for what you need to say is partly embedded in the muscles of your mouth.
STEP FOUR
Get to the venue early. Get a feel for the room. Sit where the audience will sit so that you can see it from their perspective. Walk around the auditorium. Practise your speech on the stage itself. The more comfortable you are with the room, the less your nerves will be.
STEP FIVE
Get some exercise. A walk, a swim, a session in the gym, it doesn't matter what you do, as long as you get some exercise in the couple of hours before your talk. Exercise is essential in reducing nerves.
STEP SIX
While waiting to go on stage, chew something like mints or sweets. This will produce saliva which also helps reduce nerves. If you drink water your saliva production will go down and your nervousness will rise. Avoid water when presenting.
STEP SEVEN
When you go up on stage, smile. No matter how false it feels to you, the audience won't notice. Just smile. It helps produce hormones that lead to a more relaxed feeling.
STEP EIGHT
Be active on stage. Move around, use big gestures and get as much body movement as you can. The more you move the more relaxed you will feel.
STEP NINE
Look people in the eye. Make as much eye contact as you can. The more the better. Eye contact is essential in helping you feel good and reducing your nerves.
