Conquer Your Fear! Learn To Be Confident In Public Speech
In public speaking, fear maybe viewed as negative leading to
ineffective communication. This is the tendency if you predict
bad situations. Fear can be easily seen through physical
manifestations: hands cold and clammy, rumbling speech,
slouching and unwanted movements.
In public speaking, fear comes from the "fear of the unknown."
Most people are afraid of not being liked, offending someone,
forgetting everything, of stumbling and falling or ruining the
effort.
But fear can be seen in a positive aspect as well. According to
Kenneth McFarland, "it is not necessary to banish fear in order
to gain confidence. A wholesome fear of failure is one of the
best guarantees of success."
Fear can be a motivating force for the public speaker that adds
strength, energy and conviction to otherwise lifeless ideas.
Your courage is the ability to see fear in a realistic
perspective. The way to curb your fear is to prepare thoroughly.
But fear cannot be eliminated fully. It is meant to be
conquered.
In any public speaking experience, stage fright and anxiety are
hindrances to building your self-confidence. Stage fright is an
emotional state that affects people the minute they stand before
an audience. Having positive thoughts greatly help in managing
stage fright. Believing that you are going to succeed, that you
are effective as a speaker and that your audience will trust you
and gain respect for you are sure winners to combat fear.
Furthermore, being aware that nobody is perfect and everybody is
prone to mistakes are effective thoughts to calm you down. Best
of all, think that the audience is your friend.
If you need to know more on how to build your self-confidence,
here are some practical tips:
1. Share your personal experience to begin your talk. Why?
Because no one knows better than you do.
2. The most effective way out, if fear attacks you, is to do it.
Conquer your fear. Do not hesitate just because you think that
someone can do better that you do.
3. Accept that you know. Be confident to share about it.
4. As a public speaker, you ought to assume the delivery man
role and that you carry an important message that you need to
get across.
5. Apologizing in public speaking is a sin. Do not apologize for
your material or even your lack of experience.
6. Be yourself and be confident. Do not imitate government
officials in the way they speak. Speak in your own "official
capacity".
7. Prepare for the occasion by dressing appropriately and then
forget how you look.
Confidence is a key element in achieving success. But remember,
be on guard against overconfidence.