Public speaking anxiety

Worrying about what people will think consumes too much time and energy. So instead of getting to the heart of the matter, you dilute your message to avoid controversy. Or, you avoid speaking out on what you believe is right because you’re afraid of being called a fraud. When your public speaking anxiety causes you to hide, then you diminish your brilliance and dim all you have to offer.

Consider the things you delayed doing because of your concerns. Public speaking was a significant fear which I needed to tackle. My heartbeat would immediately pound in my chest as I thought about talking to an audience.

As a result, I avoided all networking and speaking for 12 years.

Public speaking resided beyond my comfort zone. I could speak all day in my office. That’s because it was my turf. My confidence quickly melted away, however, in any other setting.

The discomfort stemmed from inadequacy. Stumbling over my words. My introverted nature.  Concerns of criticism.

Tackling the fear

Eventually I decided to tackle my public speaking anxiety. Toastmasters offered the ideal solution. Have you ever attended their meetings?

Anticipating my turn was brutal. My heart beat loudly as I anticipated my turn to speak.  Instead of concentrating on the other speakers, I would rehearse my lines.

The meeting format forced me to think on my feet. This was exactly what I needed to face my public speaking fear. Bit by bit my mindset shifted.

I realized it wasn’t just me. Several fellow Toastmasters panicked about public speaking, too.

What does judgment have to do with this?

I don’t know that much. They’ll accuse me of being a fake.

I don’t have anything new to say. It’s all been done before.

They’ll laugh at me if I do that.

What if I fail?

Fear of judgment is closely linked to fear of public speaking. So whether you’re a seasoned business owner or a newbie, we want to be well received. The accounting professionals who rise up as leaders take action despite the fear.

Fear of judgment is closely linked to fear of public speaking. Read full post. #getpaidwhatyoureworth Click To Tweet

Does public speaking anxiety plague you? It’s possible to overcome your fear.

1. Admit. Acknowledge the fear. This was the easy part for me.
2. Access. Explore why the fear exists. When did I first start to avoid being in front of a room? Is it any size audience? Does this happen when speaking to a group of children or only adults?
3. Attitude. What beliefs fuel your fear? Which specific thoughts cause anxiety?
4. Alternative. Is there another response you would rather have? How would you ideally like to respond when asked to speak?
5. Action. Growth happens when you act despite the fear.  Identify another time in your life when you conquered a fear. How can that experience help you now?

Speaking to a group, no matter what size, was painful. As I went through this process each week during Toastmasters, I dug deep to uncover the root of my fear.

Why was it in my head? I realized it wasn’t always there. My public speaking anxiety stemmed from a fear of judgment.

Buying into the illusion

The thought of the audience judging me harshly fueled my fear. Deep down I knew my truth was different from reality. Yes, maybe there are some judgmental people in the audience. But, they are not the majority.

Think about it. When you are in the audience listening to a speaker, and she falters, you root for her to recover her composure.

I now realize most people in the audience cheer for me instead of quietly boo me. They are my allies; not my foes.

The illusion that they were waiting for me to stumble was all in my head. Fortunately, this story is no longer true for me. My reality has shifted.

Stop wasting time and energy

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If someone is criticizing me, then it’s not someone I want to know anyway. That person enjoys finding the flaws. Why waste my time and energy on the few when there are so many who are genuinely interested in what I have to offer?

So if your public speaking anxiety stems from judgment, find evidence that your audience is on your side. Stop putting your stuff onto other people; believing you can read their minds.

By the way, no one is really paying that much attention. They’re distracted with their own stuff.  The mistakes you dwell over they quickly forget.

Here is some sage advice to keep in mind:

• Change takes time. Your public speaking fear has been around for a long time – challenging a fear takes time.
• Baby steps. There’s a learning curve. Start out small and be patient. What’s one step you’re prepared to tackle right now?
• Stick to it. Mistakes will happen. Instead of using them as a reason to quit, learn from them. If that situation happens again, how will you respond differently?

Hiding behind your public speaking fear only serves to keep you in a safe place. Achieving your potential is difficult when you avoid risk. Instead decide to love what you currently hate.

It was time to stop hiding

Signing up for Toastmasters forced me to speak publicly despite the fear. Instead of hiding in my comfortable office, I sought out speaking opportunities.

If my talk touches one person in the audience, then my talk mattered. That person would never hear my message if I don’t speak up.

My public speaking anxiety is not completely resolved. Stadium audiences still cause my pulse to race. Speaking, virtually and in-person, has opened doors which were previously shut. What was once impossible is now possible. And that holds true for you as well. What are your thoughts about public speaking?

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