Do you get anxious when you have to make a speech or presentation in front of an audience? Don’t worry, because you are not alone. Glossophobia or fear of public speaking is actually pretty common.
While knowing you’re not alone can be comforting, it doesn’t necessarily make it any easier. However, there are ways for you to calm yourself before making a big speech. As per Forbes Magazine, you can try these tricks to get over your fear today:
Focus on nailing your introduction. For some people, the most difficult part of making a speech is getting started. Come up with a compelling introduction, and memorize it. This will help you find a flow of speaking and calm your nerves.Â
Know your topic well. You can exude confidence by ensuring that you are knowledgeable about the topic you’re discussing. When you’re assured that you know what you’re topic about, it’ll be easier for you to deliver your message in a fun and exciting manner.Â
Visualize your success. Don’t feed your anxiety with negative thoughts such as making a mistake, not being good enough, stumbling, and the like. Use the power of positivity to calm yourself. By having an optimistic disposition, you’ll feel more confident to nail your presentation.Â
Embrace the butterflies. Rather than fighting your nervousness, you should just embrace it. Accept the fact that being nervous is part of the process, and look at it in a way for your body to prepare itself for something big. Instead of looking at your nervousness in a pessimistic way, turn your energy into something positive.Â
Getting the hang of public speaking can open multitudes of opportunities not only to advance your career but to improve overall as a person. That’s why you should remind yourself that it’s okay to be afraid sometimes. You just got to face your fears, because, at the end of the day, there’s nothing to fear but fear itself.