Learning to love speaking in public may seem like a distant goal. But it's actually closer than you think. As a first step, remind yourself that the topic you’re passionate about is most likely of interest to listeners. And they are listening, not thinking about you and your nerves (or even your speaking skills). Here are 10 “quick fixes” that you can use for even more practical approaches when stage fright comes to call.
#1 Get your head in the right place.
I’m going to start out with some tough love: It ain’t about you! Speech anxiety is unpleasant enough that you may focus on how awful you’re feeling instead of what really matters: the response of your audience. Put yourself in their shoes and think about what they’re hoping to get out of this presentation. You’ll be on the right wavelength, which is that of your audience.
#2 Belly breathe.
Modern life with all its gadgets and digital assistants makes it easy for you to become a “talking head," which includes breathing shallowly and rapidly. The fight-or-flight response to social anxiety exacerbates this type of respiration cycle. To counter these habits, learn how to breathe diaphragmatically. Yes, it will help you to have a resonant voice; but it will also calm you and slow your heart rate.
#3 Turn that negative talk into positive thinking.
The longer you stay in negative territory concerning your response to public speaking, the more it will seem like home. We’re all experts at beating ourselves up through negative self-talk. Why not use positive thinking instead? Turn self-destructive statements around by flipping that negative mindset. Create a positive groove you can stay in.
#4 Stand straight and open up your chest.
Body language matters in terms of how confident you look! Try this: hunch your shoulders slightly; now stand straight, allowing your chest area to come forward as your shoulders drop into their natural position. Doesn't that feel better? You certainly will look more professional!
Do you want to be an influential speaker? Then get your body into the act! Download my Free White Paper, The Body Language Rules: 12 Ways to Be a More Powerful Speaker.
#5 Let go of intrusive thoughts.
Focus is one of your most important tools when it comes to reaching and engaging audiences. But you’re human, which means off-the-grid thoughts will intrude when you don't want them to. Learn not to engage these thoughts or resist them—instead, notice them, then let them float away! Come back to your message and its reception. Here's how to stay focused.
#6 Greet your audience. And smile.
One of the most effective ways to have a relationship with an audience is to take a moment to allow that to happen. You do that in your greeting. Here’s how to start strong by giving your audience a greeting they'll remember. Invest yourself in this moment, letting listeners know that you really enjoy being there. Again, you too will feel it!
#7 Talk . . . don't present.
Edward Everett was the at-the-time famous orator who delivered a two-hour address at Gettysburg in 1863. But we remember the other guy—the one who gave the two-minute speech known as the Gettysburg Address. Since then, speeches public and private have been getting more conversational. Your need to calm your nerves come from the thought that you’re there to GIVE A SPEECH. But you’ll really just be talking to some people. Sounds enjoyable, doesn’t it?
#8 Visualize a successful outcome.
Athletes, chess grandmasters, and theoretical physicists use positive visualization, and you should too. In other words, help yourself create a successful presentation! It just makes sense: the more time and effort you spend anticipating positive outcomes, the better prepared you’ll be to respond that way in the real situation.
#9 Turn the spotlight around.
This too is a visualization technique. Speaking in public can feel like standing alone in a hot bright spotlight. There, every move you make can add to the feeling that you're naked and vulnerable. So in your mind, turn the spotlight around. Now you’re in the cool dark and the spotlight is on the audience. After all, aren’t you supposed to “illuminate” listeners?
#10 Move!
Ever feel like you’re in a pressure cooker when speaking to a group? Need to know how to think on your feet when speaking under pressure? With speaking nerves comes the release of stress hormones that are telling you to fight the threat or get away fast. If you stand stock-still, the pressure will just build. So move! It's all part of my secrets of body language for powerful public speaking!
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