Strategies for Decreasing Speaking Fears

Strategies for decreasing speaking fears

The stage fright is universal. Following suggestions help to decrease the intensity:

1. Know your subject well.

- If you are not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase. Practice your speech or presentation and revise it until you can present it with ease.

Do more research to get more information about your subject. So, that you can understand more about your subject.

Remember, "He who fails to prepare is preparing for failure - so Prepare,Prepare, Prepare"

2. Rehearse your talk several times.

Practice, practice, practice! Perform your presentation for friends, roommates, a tutor, or anyone else who will listen.

Whenever possible, practice in the actual room where you will deliver the speech.

3. Pre-check any equipment like projector etc.

So, that you do not chaos

4. Take an object with you like a pen, pointer.

Make you more comfortable.

5. Breath deeply and slowly before speaking.

You probably know that our minds are inextricably connected with our bodies. Consciously pulling in a deep belly breath - the kind that makes your belly button push outward - and then releasing all of that air and then some, slows the mind. That process of pulling in breath, distending your belly, releasing the breath deeply, automatically decreases your physical anxiety sensations. Use it anytime you are nervous. It's amazing.

6. Mover during the speech.

-If standing, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, one foot slightly in front of the other. This will help your balance and discourage a nervous rocking.

-If your legs are trembling, lean onto the lectern or move around a bit.

-Make eye contact. This might sound hard, but it will make you feel less isolated.

-Focus on the friendly faces in the audience and think of how well you're doing.

During the speech, channel excess tension by moving a step to the left or right after each section of the speech, by raising a book or note card at each transition, by using and manipulating visual aids, or by moving your foot behind the podium where it will not be seen.

7. Approach the lectern with assurance & enthusiasm.