How to Combat Public Speaking Anxiety
Redefine the jitters.
If you can convert your pounding pulse from a scary feeling to a positive one by telling yourself I’m excited! I’m going to do a great job! I’m full of energy! Then you should do so. Those feelings of excitement will give you the energy necessary to project the slightly bigger-than-life persona you need on a big stage.
Create an alternative emotional state.
A more sophisticated response to the problem of speaker’s nerves is to create an alternative emotional state in your mind, one that relates to the opening of your speech. If you are telling a touching story, then use a method actor’s technique: remember a time when you felt emotional in that way, using all five senses, and get yourself into that state. If you are all fired up with anger at some injustice, then work that up. And so on. The mental exercise required to recall and install the emotion has the added benefit (if you do it thoroughly enough) of making you forget your nerves as you work yourself into the new state.
Calm yourself down.
There are several techniques, from deep breathing to various forms of meditation, which will enable you to maintain calm in the face of pressure.
Read the complete article at Psychology Today!
Reflection:
Do you struggle with public speaking anxiety?
#Anxiety #PublicSpeaking #Coping
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@comfortableNight4463
Oh yes I do lol. It's a whole lot of "why am I doing this again?" self-questioning! XD
I admire people who either are great public speakers by practice and/ or naturally or can mask their anxiety and stage fright too well to *appear* calm. 😮❤
The same "stage fright" happens to musicians and other artists who need a crowd to perform. There are people who never overcome that handicap. For everyone else, overtime, they are so used to the idea that this feeling is minimized.
One thing that helps prepare better is to rehearse well and record those sessions (being aware that you are recording yourself). Your confidence will have a big boost.
Once on stage, look and talk to the last row (depending on the size of the crowd).If there is a mic, test yourself beforehand with a bright, cheerful voice - "Good evening everyone and thank you for coming !". This is far more efficient than blowing air on the mic or mumbling "one two three".
If you are handed a mic all of a sudden, no time for stage fright to gnaw at you. You just dive into it. If you just have to wing it, keep your message BRIEF and to the point. Don't ramble!
Also, your public is there to enjoy your talent or message, however professional.Hence people are going to be benevolent, supportive and thankful that it's not them behind the mic.