How to Conquer Your Public Speaking Nerves - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Conquer Your Public Speaking Nerves - Introvert Whisperer How to Conquer Your Public Speaking Nerves Whether youre a first-year student or a seasoned professional with years of work experience, public speaking is a common fear that can affect anyone. Even politicians and celebrities suffer from stage fright, so the good news is that it doesn’t have to stop you from having a successful career. Whilst it could take time and practice to conquer your nerves, once you’ve got to grips with the basics, your new found confidence will definitely come in handy when it comes to going to job interviews and giving presentations. The Science Bit Glossophobia is the fancy name for a phobia of speaking in public, and whilst your fear might not be a full-blown phobia, identifying why you’re feeling nervous is the first step in your battle to becoming a more confident public speaker. There are all sorts of reasons that anxiety can set in before speaking in public. When we feel were in a threatening situation, our body goes into fight or flight mode which triggers feelings of panic. And whilst delivering a presentation to a room full of people might not be life-threatening, it can still be pretty overwhelming. Humans are sensitive souls and when all eyes are on you its perfectly normal to feel concerned about stumbling over your words or dropping your notes. Face Your Fears There’s a whole wealth of research out there suggesting that the best way to get over your fears is to face them head-on. In his TED Talk entrepreneur and best selling author Tim Ferriss says “fear is an indicator. Sometimes it shows you what you shouldn’t do. More often than not it shows you exactly what you should do”. Susan Jeffer’s best-selling book ‘Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway’ advocates a similar concept and gives practical advice for turning negative thoughts and feelings into ones of power and positivity. Practice Makes Perfect The old adage ‘practice makes perfect’ definitely rings true for public speaking. If you feel more prepared and confident then youre less likely to feel panicky on the day. Practice in front of the mirror, your family, your cat. Whatever makes you feel most comfortable. Getting some honest feedback may help too (your cat might not be able to help you with that one though). Your nerves may not disappear overnight but research shows that by exposing ourselves to fear, the less intimidating it becomes over time. You never know, you might even end up enjoying it! Organise Your Way to Confidence Feeling calm and in control can do big things for overcoming your public speaking anxieties. If youre going for a job interview then really familiarise yourself with the job role and the company’s background, products and culture. Worrying about tough interview questions might be making you nervous, so look at the job spec and personal requirements and try to anticipate the sorts of things that they might ask you. If youre making a presentation then check through your any digital slides you’ve prepared and print out a few emergency notes in case of technical issues. The name of the game is that it’s always better to be over prepared than under prepared!     And… Relax The night before your public speaking gig, try and get lots of sleep and do whatever helps you relax. Everybody is different when it comes to relaxation techniques but try to find something that works for you whether that’s going for a brisk walk, reading a book or having a long hot soak in the bath. Author Bio Emily Valentine writes for Inspiring Interns, which specialises in sourcing candidates for  internships and graduate jobs. Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer