Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety

As mentioned before, overcoming public speaking anxiety is a very beneficial skill to have. Here are more tips on how you can work your way towards accomplishing that.

Back to the first part for "Overcoming the fear of public speaking"

Tip #4: Carry on even when you make a mistake. Don't let it ruin your presentation.

Every public speaker eventually makes a mistake. Yes, I mean EVERYONE! It's impossible to give a perfect speech each and every time. If you are new to public speaking, you will probably make many mistakes.

Inexperienced speakers are usually nervous. They don't have the benefit of experience on their side. They make the mistake of thinking that overcoming public speaking anxiety is impossible.

New speakers often feel like their first speech is one big mistake! They are usually more critical of themselves than their audience could ever be. You probably don't look as nervous in front of the podium as you feel.

The most helpful advice we can give is to carry on even when you make a mistake. Accept the fact that you will make a few errors. Well, okay, maybe more than a few...

The point is, that's the only way you will learn and become better at public speaking!

You may suddenly forget your lines. Try not to panic. Calmly scan through your notes until you find your place. Read a few lines and then carry on as if nothing had happened.

Don't apologize for your mistake. This will only disrupt the flow of your speech and bring the error to your audience's attention. Try to be discrete and carry on normally after the mistake. You may be surprised to discover that people in the room didn't even notice you had made an error!

So the next time you make a mistake, try to calmly correct it, carry on and then learn from the error. You won't be as apt to make the same mistake during your next presentation.

Tip #5: Envision your success. Picture yourself giving a great presentation. Then live that dream.

The human mind is very powerful. We have the ability to change many situations by simply picturing the outcome in our head.

Picturing your success every time you give a speech or presentation does a great deal in overcoming the fear of public speaking.

Think to yourself "I'm going to give the best presentation ever" or "I'm going to present a powerful, entertaining speech today".

Avoid negative thoughts about your speaking abilities. Extremely important tip if your goal is overcoming public speaking anxiety.

Don't say to yourself "I'm going to totally bomb today" or "My first speech is going to be terrible". The more negative your thoughts, the better chance they have of becoming true. So use your mind to your advantage and stick with the positive!

Focus on your strengths and not your weaknesses.

Everyone has areas of public speaking that they need to improve. New speakers have to work on almost all aspects of this skill.

Therefore, remain positive and focus on what you do best. If you find certain elements especially difficult, spend more time working on those particular areas.

Tip #6: Practice, practice, and then practice some more! Nothing's worse than being overconfident and not practicing.

The only way you get better at doing anything is to practice. Public speaking is no exception.

The best way in reducing and overcoming public speaking anxiety is to actually get up and do it!

Take advantage of every possible opportunity to speak in front of others. Prepare speeches for your roommates, office colleagues, friends, family, pets and strangers. The more you speak in front of others, the easier it will become.

Each time you speak, you will find yourself a little more confident. Eventually, you will laugh at how nervous you were during your first presentation! Overcoming public speaking anxiety IS possible!

Don't let fear and anxiety stop you from learning the art of public speaking. Use the following tips to improve your technique and reduce your nervousness:

• Learn some breathing techniques

• Memorize your opening lines

• Make point form notes of your presentation

• Calmly carry on when you make a mistake

• Envision your public speaking success

• Practice as often as possible

All of you can learn to become confident public speakers. All it takes is a little practice and effort. That terrified, wobbly-kneed speaker you remember will soon become nothing more than a distant memory...

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