Take a second and try to remember the last time you had to give a presentation for a class. What did that look like? Were your hands sweaty? Was your heart pounding? Did you feel dizzy? Did you wish you could teletransport somewhere else? If the answer to some of these questions is yes, then don’t worry, because you are not alone! Most of us have, at one point or another, struggled with public speaking. Some level of nervousness is anticipated, but this might become a bigger issue when we start strictly avoiding situations where we are forced to publicly speak. It is never good to let your fears get in the way! Luckily for us, this fear of public speaking is something that we can all work to overcome. I’m not saying it’s easy, but with enough resilience and determination, it is very possible. I will now introduce a few strategies that might help you feel more confident and less afraid to speak in public.
Believe it or not, sometimes our biggest enemy is our own mind. Sometimes we tend to focus so much on the negative feelings and thoughts that we end up perpetuating them, and the cycle continues. One good strategy that has worked is to reframe your thoughts. Next time you start feeling nervous, tell yourself how excited you are to present something you have worked hard on. This will force your mind to look at the situation from a more positive perspective. Additionally, when we present, we tend to focus a lot on what we think others are going to think about our presentation. Instead of wasting time guessing how your audience might be receiving what you’re presenting to them, focus on yourself and the importance of the message you are trying to convey. This might alleviate some of the pressure to look a certain way in front of the public. Ultimately, it is important to acknowledge that imperfection is perfection. Speakers are not meant to be perfect and give an entire presentation without any mishaps or stumbles. Audiences are better able to connect with speakers whom they can relate to, speakers who are real human beings, like them. And real human beings make mistakes sometimes!
Something that can help you feel more confident is to adequately prepare for the presentation you are about to give. Instead of focusing on memorizing all the words, focus on understanding the structure and content of your presentation. Understanding the material will make you feel better prepared and might aid in the delivery of the information. In addition to practicing the material, it would be a good idea to practice the delivery of the presentation. You can start by practicing in low-pressure environments, where you feel comfortable. It can just be you by yourself in front of the mirror or recording yourself, playing it back, and taking notes on what things you wish to improve on. Then you can slowly start opening up to more trusted individuals like family and friends, people whom you won’t feel judged by but who will give you honest and supportive feedback and advice.
Ultimately, it is important to remember that you are not alone! Most of us have experienced the fear of public speaking at some point in our lives. Change is gradual, and you probably won’t immediately go from being scared to having no nervousness at all. However, it is important to start small and go from there. Every time you decide to speak in front of a group or give a presentation, you will take a step closer to overcoming your fear of public speaking. Celebrate all your wins—big or small. Even showing up to your presentation is something to be incredibly proud of!
Note: This is a personal story/opining article.
