5 Strategies for Conquering the Fear of Public Speaking
The fear of public speaking is very real, people.
And don’t just take my word for it. Allow me to hand to the mic to your friend and mine, Jerry Seinfeld:
According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death.
Death is number two. Does that sound right?
This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.
But here’s the thing: rather than letting fear of public speaking hold us back, I strongly believe we can channel it into positive energy that leads to success! And I believe that so strongly in part because I struggled with a crippling fear of public speaking as a child. The report cards my teachers sent home were always glowing with one exception: “Lauren needs to speak up more in class.”
Even now, as an adult who has logged countless hours of performing on stage and teaching in the classroom before some of the toughest crowds of high school freshmen you can imagine, I still get nervous before public speaking.
But the difference between now and then is that I’ve picked up some strategies along the way to help me recognize that fear doesn’t have keep me silent…it can actually be a gift! {Gasp.}
And that’s exactly what I’m excited to share about in today’s post, which also features a fun video!
Periscope Video Broadcast
I’ve gotten hooked on a new-ish app this week called Periscope, and if you don’t know it, allow me to open up your eyes to a whole new world!
Periscope allows you to broadcast live videos or “scopes” that anyone in the world can view and engage with in real time. Those broadcasts can be replayed on Periscope for 24 hours, after which point they vanish or go to Periscope heaven, as I like to imagine. {Wink.}
What does audience engagement look like on Periscope? Well, you have the fabulous ability to show “love” for the broadcaster through tapping the screen and giving “hearts,” and you can pop into the conversation with comments! It’s pretty rad.
And actually this very subject of fear and public speaking came up in my very first scope this Thursday, so I decided to do a follow-up scope solely devoted to this subject. And although the 24 hour period of that scope has passed, there’s a special feature on Periscope where you can save your videos to your camera roll. So, I’ve uploaded the replay to my YouTube channel for your viewing pleasure both now and till the end of time…or the end of YouTube. And in truth, I’m not sure which will come first. #deepthoughts
So, friends, I invite you to watch the vid or skim the list below for my…
5 Strategies for Conquering the Fear of Public Speaking
Click the gear icon to change the default setting to H.D. for higher quality.
And if you have trouble viewing the video above, click HERE.
Strategy #1. Acknowledge that it’s scary.
It’s much better to acknowledge that public speaking is a scary thing rather than pretend that it’s not. Like with most “monsters” we try to ignore or brush under the rug, that fear will rear its ugly head eventually–and sometimes at the most inopportune times (like in the midst of a speech).
However, if you can name that fear ahead of time and call it what it is, you can diminish its power over you or better yet, reclaim it as your own. So, take the time to be present with what’s really going on and what symptoms of fear you’re experiencing.
No bones about it, this is risky business, but it’s something that will get easier the more you do it and the more you call out that fear!
Strategy #2. Practice and rehearse public speaking in safe environments.
This strategy is two-fold.
One, push yourself to speak up in small ways in safe settings before thrusting yourself into a bigger venue. For instance, if you’re in a class, push yourself to answer a question or join in on a discussion. Those smaller risks that you take will help build your confidence for those bigger risks in public speaking.
Two, practice giving that talk or speech with someone else. It could be a spouse or a friend–just as long as it’s a safe person with whom you can get out some of your nerves in advance. You might even be able to glean some constructive feedback from him or her.
The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you’ll be when it comes time for the real deal.
Strategy #3. Practice deep breathing.
I often underestimate the power of oxygen to put us at ease. When I take a few deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth, I instantaneously feel more calm. In fact, you should try it right now and you’ll see what I mean.
Take some deep breaths right before your public speaking event and especially during it. I tend to forget to breathe when I’m in the spotlight, so I will go so far as to write reminders to myself within my speech or lesson plan that simply say, “BREATHE!”
Take your time. Don’t rush. Breathe deep.
Strategy #4. “Extra points for shaking!”
This was a concept taught to me by my beloved college theatre professor, Mark Lewis. Whenever we would stand up in front of the class to perform a solo exercise or scene, he would work with us to be present with what was happening in our body. Oftentimes, that meant we would hold out a hand to acknowledge that we were shaking with nerves.
Then, he would always say without fail, “Extra points for shaking.” Why? He explained that if you’re shaking it means it’s important to you. If you didn’t really care, you wouldn’t be shaking.
So, by reframing our symptoms of fear as something positive, well, then fear becomes something that can work in your favor. It’s a pretty big game-changer where public speaking is concerned. And I’ve adopted Mark Lewis’s “Extra points for shaking” mantra into my own teaching of students and actors of all ages…and now, to you!
Don’t be afraid of the shakes, dear reader. Channel “the shakes.” Become friends with “the shakes.” After all, they show that you care.
Strategy #5. Choose to see your audience as allies and not enemies.
If you go into a public speaking event expecting rejection, you’re giving fear the upper-hand and essentially shooting yourself in the foot.
Instead, I would urge you to choose to believe the best about the people who are in the audience. That can be a challenge if you look out at a sea of blank stares. Or some crossed arms. Yawns.
However, the thing about those signals is that they often have nothing to do with you. The crossed arms are just how they sit (it’s how I sit when I’m cold!). The yawn is a side effect of lack of sleep.
Instead, choose to see the audience as people who are rooting for you. And you can even use your imagination to place advocates in the room that will cheer you on!
In fact, if you haven’t watched the video yet, you might want to jump to THIS SPOT where I share the story of my freshmen English students and the creative strategy they employed to create an audience of allies for one another. It’s pretty inspirational.
To Close
I said it before, and I’ll say it again:
The fear of public speaking is very real, people.
But that’s not the end of the story. By acknowledging fear and reframing it in our minds as a good thing and not something to flee from, well, it just may give you the boost of courage you need to not only get through your next public speaking event…but to actually enjoy it.
And this is coming from the gal who once was too afraid to even place her own order at the pizza counter. That gal learned to look fear in the face and have it work for her, not against her. And so can you.
Click to Tweet
“Extra points for shaking.” What if we reframed our fear of #publicspeaking to work for us? @ThinkingCloset http://wp.me/p3gOqC-3pj
Your Turn
I would love for you to join me in this discussion, dear reader, and let me know in the comments section what has got your gears turning. I’m curious:
a) What are your symptoms of fear before speaking in public? (Or on Periscope!)
b) What strategies have you discovered for conquering that fear?
Let’s grow this list far beyond just 5!
Follow Along on Periscope
And if you’d like to tune into one of my upcoming LIVE broadcasts, you can find me over on the Periscope app @ThinkingCloset. Anyone with an iOS device or Android can download it for free! If you’re unable to download the app, you can watch the broadcasts online for 24 hours by clicking through my auto-tweets on the Twitter. (Though, just a heads-up: it’s less fun since you can’t tap to give hearts or comment.)
I’ll also post my favorite scopes to YouTube, so be sure to subscribe to my channel for more replays.
Over and out,
Hi Lauren,
I too have always had a fear of public speaking. I used to get physically ill in school before delivering a speech and then I would shakily stumble my way through it and just about run to my seat and want to hide under my desk.
It’s funny how life works out because the girl that changed her college major three times to stay out of Speech class is now married to a Pastor. I speak publicly on a weekly basis as well as sing at the services. I do not claim to be a singer and often times encourage the people to wear ear plugs but I am willing and want to serve. There is no one else– so I stand in that singing role. Every Sunday I find myself gripping the microphone so tight my hand falls asleep and when I speak I rush through it so fast that I forget to breath and just about pass out. BUT…I was once told by another Pastor’s wife that you must remember that the people you are speaking to LOVE you and once you know that, it becomes easier to speak in front of them. Now, I know this isn’t the same scenario for all public speakers but this truly has helped me when I am up there hating the way my voice sounds through a microphone with all eyes on me. I tend to be a wallflower/people-watcher so you can see the humor in what God has called me to, can’t you? I also get up there every Sunday knowing that God sees my potential and that He has equipped me even when I don’t see it or feel very equipped. That encourages me and pushes me to serve and to walk in obedience to what He says I can do.
Thank you for these tips. They are really great tips. I love your blog by the way!
Blessings to you and yours!
I work for a scholarship fund.. when we do interviews, I have the (nervous) students do a “starfish” stretch with me before they go in. It boosts confidence and calms the nerves. For more posture tips, check out Amy Cuddy’s TED talk – http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en
Ooo! Love the term “starfish stretch”! Will have to use that. Is that simply arms and legs extended as far as possible? Will definitely check out that TED talk, too. Thx for the link!
Hi Lauren
I have a huge fear of public speaking, especially when it come to converse in English as its not my first language. Anyway that should not be an excuse.
Well… whenever I try to make a conversation with a group of not so familiar people, lets say at the weddings, Interviews etc. I tend to do it good. But when it comes to talk in front of the known audience or people to whom I have already met then it becomes a lot difficult. most of the time I try to run away.
How I suppose to deal with it?
Thanks,
Jyo
It’s so very easy to let fear hold us back from letting our voice be heard…and insecurities about language skills can be so debilitating. And I think what you shared speaks to the fact that it feels so revealed and vulnerable, which is harder in front of people we know. Because we’ll likely see them again! But I’d say to take small risks in safe environments with encouraging friends or colleagues–confess your fear to them–and little by little you’ll gain more confidence at putting yourself out there. Even in front of known audiences. I hope that’s helpful! Thank you for sharing, Jyo. You can do it!
I am definitely adding extra points for shaking to my mental pep talk before stressful situations – I really like the idea of it being a positive thing, showing that whatever you’re doing matters to you! In fact, I’ll probably be chanting it to myself before my job interview on Monday 😉
I actually love public speaking, but the adrenaline rush does to, at one point or another, make my voice a bit shaky and my breathing go all weird.. at that point, I simply stop whatever I’m talking about, and publicly acknowledge that I am a bit nervous – everyone can relate to that, and it usually brings a little chuckle, which allows me to take a few deep breaths and then move on. Simple, but effective!
Thanks for this great periscope and written conversation, while I’m drinking my cold Nutribullet spinach/fruit/almond drink! My new summer favorite.
This is so timely as I prepare for my first professional (as a speaker versus a poster presenter) nursing presentation at an international conference…My legs are shaking but I’m also excited to share what I’m learning. Excited and scared.
I will practice in a safe environment and view the audience as allies and not as enemies. Perfect analogy since I’m presenting about a World War I nurse who was with the allied American Expeditionary forces! Lol
It’s so amazing how you’ve transformed (by God’s grace, Rinello, and Mark Lewis’s guidance) from that little girl who was quiet and shy in class, to taking risks to share your valuable voice.
Just tweeted this! Will re-read and watch from time to time! Embracing the anxiety (e.g. extra points for shaking) is very freeing! Thank you!
Really enjoyed this Lauren ~ it occurred to me that these strategies could be used to deal with fears of many kinds with a little variance. Thank you for the tips on “extra points for shaking” – that’s a good one!! Blessings to you!
Love this, Lauren. Your tips are so right-on. I had actually forgotten that Mark would say “extra points for shaking,” but it’s perfect. 🙂 Also, it’s so helpful for me to remember to see my audience as allies, and to not read too much into their body language.
Your periscope video is great! Sorry I couldn’t watch it in real time, but I’m looking forward to the next one. Love you!