Here’s how to overcome the fear and anxeity of public speaking, in just 60 seconds.
“I hate public speaking. It terrifies me.” I’ve heard that confession from basically, everyone, regardless of their role, age, experience, or title.
I was talking to a VP who was planning to deliver a session to their team.
“You’re not alone,” I told him. “Research shows that when people list their biggest fears, public speaking often ranks number one. Death is number two. Statistically speaking, many people would rather die than speak in front of a room.”
“That feels uncomfortably accurate, he said. “But once I have to speak in public, or even plan my presentation, my mind starts focusing on all the things I don’t want; the fears.”
Am I going to look nervous? Will I forget what I want to say? What if I sound unprepared? What if they tune out because I’m not qualified to speak on this subject? What if they don’t find this valuable?
“By the time I get up to speak or deliver a presentation, my focus is already hijacked. I spend the entire time thinking about myself,” he admitted. “How I look. How I sound. Whether people are judging me. If it’s helping them.”
“There’s the root cause of public speaking anxiety,” I said. “This fear and anxiety do not come from speaking. It comes from making the moment about you, and what you have to gain or lose, instead of your audience and the value you deliver.
Now, the goal is not to help others. The goal is protecting your image.
The more you focus on how you appear, the less present you are with the people you are trying to connect with. When you are wrapped up in your own thoughts, you are no longer connecting with the audience but to yourself.
“So, what do I do instead?” he asked.
“Stop focusing on you and how you look and focus on your audience and the value you deliver.”
He waited for more. “That’s it?” he asked.
“That’s it,” I said. “When you walk into a presentation focused on you, fear immediately takes over. But when you walk in, asking yourself how you can help the people in front of you, something shifts. The fear dissipates and your passion to serve rises to the top.
Instead of performing, you start connecting. Instead of protecting your image, you begin serving others.”
Everyone gets butterflies in their stomach. That is not fear. That is the care and energy of being fully present before the meaningful moment you want to create for your audience by giving all of you to them.
Overcome your public speaking fear and become a powerful, inspiring public speaker.
The post How to Overcome Public Speaking Anxiety. Stop Performing and Start Connecting first appeared on Keith Rosen.