Stress Less in Speaking

Fear

At times, fear paralyzes. It strangles the mind and body disabling it to think clearly and respond accordingly.

When it comes to public speaking, this fear has a name—glossophobia. The Greek word glossa means tongue and phobos means fear or dread.  Many polls place this fear near the top of all fears.

Maybe you can identify with it.  Perhaps the thought of speaking causes you to panic. Perhaps it doesn’t.  Maybe you want to grow in your skills.

Yet, ten minutes before your presentation starts you feel anxious, nervous about speaking. What makes you afraid?

Fear of Failure – I won’t say it right.  I will get the facts wrong.  I will forget my point.

Fear of the Unknown – I don’t know the people in the audience.  I am not comfortable with the technology.  I don’t know if my presentation meets the expectations.

Fear of Judgment – I will look or sound stupid.  I will not be as good as the person before me.  My voice will shake when I speak.

Mark Twain said, “There are two types of speakers: those that are nervous and those that are liars.”

Your body releases some 30 hormones needed to help you in stressful situations.  Your heart races, your breathing becomes shallow, your hand or leg shakes but none of these are life threatening.  Don’t think of it as a signal you will fail. Think of it as a signal you will succeed. Your body is putting you in game mode.

Let’s focus these nerves to win the game.

First, the Script

You must prepare.  Know your purpose in speaking and what action steps you want from the audience.  Arrange your content so it flows smoothly.  You don’t want your audience to make sense of your speech—that’s your job.

Sir John Coville, a personal secretary to Sir Winston Churchill, once stated Churchill “would invest approximately one hour of preparation for every minute of delivery.”  Are you speaking for 15 minutes?  According to Churchill’s formula, you will spend 15 hours of preparation before you stand and say the first word to the audience.

Football teams practice the same game-winning plays over and over, for hours at end.  They refine the players’ positions, the throws, and the tackles. Why? The team perfects many ways to win and rote memory from practice helps them find the right play at the right opening despite the actions of the opposing players.

Apply the same strategy to speaking.  Practicing your presentation forms a rote memory of where you are headed in the speech and how to say it to get there.

As the axiom goes, “Practice, practice, practice.”

Second, the Mind

Fear is a thief.  It steals opportunities.  It clouds reason.

Reflect on the football team. While lining up for the first snap of the game, the players think, “We’re not that good and this team looks scary. They are going to beat us.”

No, they’re not!

They’re thinking, “We got this game!  We’re ready to win!”

Let’s try that strategy on speaking.  Before your presentation, focus on the audience.  Think these words—“I have a message I want this audience to hear.  I’m prepared and practiced!  I am going to win!”  Remind yourself of the strengths you bring to the speaking situation.  Learn to talk and believe the strategy of success.

Third, the Body

Develop some practical strategies to navigate anxious symptoms that may occur before your presentation.

Posture –lift the shoulders up and stretch them back.  No slouching.  Besides allowing the lungs to fill with air, “shoulders up and back” demonstrates confidence and builds credibility with your audience.

Breathing– stop, take a deep breath in and exhale.  Do this again.  Allow the oxygen to flow through your body providing relaxation and calm.

Hands – clench your hands in a fist and count to 5 and release.  This allows the tension to release, relaxing the muscles.

Racing hearts settle, shaking hands stop, and knocking knees strengthen when you push through nervousness in public speaking.  Success lies on the other side.

And know this, your audience does not want you to fail.  They came to hear you succeed.  Don’t let fear rob that opportunity.

Winston Churchill said, “Fear is a reaction.  Courage is a decision.”

Decide to grow.

Say “yes” to stressing less.

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About the Author

Janiece Robinson is a Speech Consultant who motivates clients to become confident presenters that communicate effectively. She is committed to going far beyond helping clients prepare for one speech by providing a wealth of tools that ensure they can analyze an audience and speaking context, effectively outline a presentation for maximum impact, and deliver the speech with enthusiasm and credibility. She, along with her husband Ross, co-founded a leadership development company called Bold Move, International.  She is a trained Corporate Etiquette Specialist with the Protocol School of Washington.

Visit her website: http://boldmoveintl.com/

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