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Tips to Get Over Your Fear of Public Speaking

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Some people are born to engage a crowd – they're confident, cool, and collected, even while speaking publicly.

They can get right up there, deliver their spiel, and never seem to break a sweat. No fear, no frets, and no fumbles. If this doesn't sound a thing like you, you're likely lumped in with the rest of the folks who dread public speaking. It's nothing to be ashamed of, but it's also not your destiny. You can get over your fears and turn anxiety into accomplishment.

Face your fears josephcostello.ie

Prepare

If fear of public speaking already weighs on you, "winging it" will only make matters worse. No matter the topic, you must study up on the facts and figures, background, studies, etc. The more you research and learn, the better you'll be able to present the information. You need to know what you're talking about and that it's factual and informative.

As per Mayo Clinic, "The better you understand what you're talking about — and the more you care about the topic — the less likely you'll make a mistake or get off track. And if you do get lost, you'll be able to recover quickly. Take some time to consider what questions the audience may ask and have your responses ready."

Rehearse

Just like a stage actor rehearses his lines before opening night, you should practice your presentation before your "performance." Harvard Business Review suggests, "Enlist your friends to help you rehearse your speech. They can help review your material, ask you tough follow-up questions, or act like an indifferent audience."

The Balanceadds, "Rehearse several times before the big talk. Time your presentation and always have back up material in case time is left over."

Practice may not make perfect, but you'll be closer to it.

Envision Success

When you're a ball of nerves, it can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But with a sunny outlook, you can effectively will your way into doing a job you're proud of. Mayo Clinic explains, "Positive thoughts can help decrease some of your negativity about your social performance and relieve some anxiety."

Huffington Post notes, "By being able to paint a concrete picture of what success looks like to you, it becomes less abstract and more obtainable to you." So, think about yourself standing up there, well-prepared, well-received, and realizing it wasn't so bad after all.

Breathe

Fear and worry can cause anything from sweaty pits to something closer to a panic attack. You need to concentrate on your breathing to calm yourself down and gain clarity and focus.The Balance recommends, "using deep belly breathing to reduce stress and build confidence."

CNBCexpands, "Deep breathing before and during your presentation or pitch calms your nerves and adds power and strength to your voice. Deep breathing also keeps your voice centered and prevents dangerous uptalk, which undermines your credibility and confidence. (Allison Shapira, founder, and CEO of Global Public Speaking)."

Be Yourself

Authenticity and ease of yourself will go a long way. You want to connect with your audience, and how better to do that than by being you? Too much memorization and rigidity will cause you to come off as more of a robot than the real thing. Be conversational and friendly. Nobody is waiting/hoping for you to mess up, they just want to be engaged and enlightened.

CNBC advises, "Telling personal, true stories are the best way to impart information and inspire others. (Gary Schmidt, Past International President of Toastmasters International, a nonprofit organization that helps members improve their public speaking skills)."

You can do this!workingmother.com

Forget the fear and find your place front and center.

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Five Ways to Calm Your Nerves Before an Important Presentation

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When it is your turn to be front and center, fear, anxiety, doubt, and even despair can loom. Unless you are a born presenter or an old pro, presenting to a group, no matter the size, can be daunting.

But that is no reason to hide in the shadows allowing a colleague to steal your thunder. You can do this, as long as you calm your nerves to let your confidence, charisma, and intellect shine through.

These five tips will help you to de-stress, so you can impress! Take your time to work on your woes and worries so when the big day comes, you will be on-the-ball with a successful performance.

Rehearse and Practice

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Just like an actor preparing for a role or a teacher preparing her weekly lesson plans, there is preliminary work that goes into doing a stellar job. Practice your presentation and hone in on the important points, cut out the unnecessary jargon, and then do it all again. If you can find someone willing to sit in on your "rehearsal," even better. Get their feedback and rework if needed.

Inc. recommends, "Write your speech rather than taking chances winging it. Try to practice where you'll be delivering your talk. Some acting strategists suggest rehearsing lines in various positions–standing up, sitting down, with arms open wide, (etc.). The more you mix up your position and setting, the more comfortable you'll feel with your speech. Also try recording your presentation and playing it back to evaluate which areas need work.

Be the Early Bird

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You don't need to further add to your stress by getting stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Leave the house extra-early on presentation day so you are sure to arrive at the office with plenty of time to settle in, have some coffee, and go through your notes one last time.

As Youpersuggests, "(Get) comfortable with the location and the audience. Walk around, pay attention to the layout of the room, and look for things that could potentially distract you. This will help you feel more comfortable because you'll extinguish the initial tension of being in a new place. (Take) the opportunity to talk to a few people that will be in the audience, so you don't feel like you are presenting to strangers."

Remember to Breathe

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Of course, you won't stop breathing, but doing so purposefully can work wonders on calming you down and allowing you to focus. As Inc. notes, "When we're nervous, our muscles tighten–you may even catch yourself holding your breath. Instead, go ahead and take those deep breaths to get oxygen to your brain and relax your body."

Youper adds another potential breathing bummer, "When you get anxious your breathing gets faster. Progressively slowing down helps match your breathing from the start and ease you into a calmer state as the rhythm slows."

Just like meditation teaches, be mindful of your breathing until you are steady and secure. Do this at least 15 minutes before it is time to present so your mind is clear and your body is balanced.

Drink Up… Water, That Is

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It is always important to stay well-hydrated, but before you need to talk for an extended period of time, a moist mouth is a life-saver. A parched presenter is hard to swallow, so to speak.

As per Quick and Dirty Tips, "Dry mouth, also known as cotton mouth, is a very real sign of anxiety and the person experiencing it is suffering." Even if you are a bundle of nerves, you do not have to let 'em see you sweat.

Keep a water bottle by your side to refresh in between points.

Embrace Your Emotions

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Take that nervous energy and transform it into something positive. You will be excited in some way or another, so use this adrenaline rush to make your presentation electrifying.

Like Quick and Dirty Tips notes, "Getting the blood pumping sharpens your senses sand makes you more aware of what's going on around you. Use that extra energy to engage your audience, and to show your passion."

Rather than dwelling on what may go wrong, use your energy to imagine a successful presentation. As per Youper, "Visualize members of the audience thanking you, or colleagues congratulating you. These positive images help manifest a positive attitude, and that will show while you are speaking."

Calm down and get pumped up for a presentation that will prove you are one to watch.

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3 Tips for Giving a Stellar Presentation

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Whether you're set to speak in front of some co-workers at the office or you have an audience-full of colleagues to impress, you want to give your all when you give your upcoming presentation.

You may be a natural in front of crowds or have the jitters just thinking about it, but no matter your level of comfort, anyone can give a stellar presentation with the right tips under their belt.

Your presentation can go smoothly and successfully when you execute your ideas with practice and purpose. You may not knock it out of the park at your first speaking engagement, but you will feel ready to impress when you take this advice into account. The more you present, the sharper you'll get, so make sure to fine-tune your skills with each presentation you give. Not only will you feel proud of your accomplishments, but your audience will appreciate a job well-done.

Plan and Prep

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No matter how well you think you know your stuff, winging it is risky business. Even the most knowledgeable person can use some brushing up, be it on their material or how to present it.

And preparation is more than what you plan to bring to the table. As per Entrepreneur there is, "the need for a careful analysis of audience members to know whom you're speaking to, and what they are expecting or needing from the presentation. Take time to talk to the person who invited you in the first place, to obtain a full and complete analysis of who will be in the room."

As Huffington Post puts it, "This isn't about you and what you want to talk about. What does your audience want to know? What can they learn from you that is unique to your experience."

You can tailor your presentation more precisely, giving your crowd the best version of your vision. Then you can practice until you feel confident with what you'll be presenting. Inc. notes, "When you know what you're going to say backward and forward, you don't have to worry about fumbling your words or losing your train of thought. Your audience will appreciate a no-rambling approach."

Start Off Strong

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It is important to engage your audience from the get-go. Easing into things can have you losing the crowd before you've even hooked them in. You need to be energetic, enthusiastic, and exciting. Like they say, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.

As per Skills You Need, "The beginning of your presentation is crucial. You need to grab your audience's attention and hold it. They will give you a few minutes' grace in which to entertain them, before they start to switch off if you're dull. So don't waste that on explaining who you are. Start by entertaining them."

You may want to start off with a personal touch. Inc. suggests starting with a good story. "TED Talks speakers use this tactic all the time. Your opening story should be one everyone in the room can relate to." Be yourself, loosen up, and be conversational rather than machine-like. Huffington Post recommends, "Try to be relaxed and conversational. Make your audience feel as though they were the only ones in the room."

Hammer in the Main Message

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You may have plenty to say, but too much information in one presentation can be an overload. Less is more in many cases, and you'll find that your presentation will flow better when you stick to simplicity, with a main message at the core. As Skills You Need suggests, "When planning your presentation, you should always keep in mind the question: What is the key message (or three key points) for my audience to take away? You should be able to communicate that key message very briefly."

As suggested by WikiHow, "Focus your presentation. Having a long, rambling presentation that is hard to follow is not going to win you any audience interest. You need to make sure that your presentation is clear and focused and that any asides you throw into it are there to back up the main point."

One way to make sure your main message is heard and understood is to repeat it throughout the presentation. Inc. suggests reiterating the main message three times. "Introduce the points you will be making, and then spend the meat of your presentation fleshing them out. Conclude by reminding the audience about your points."

Keep this advice in mind and use it to your advantage. Your presentation will be perfected!

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How to be Heard… 5 Tips for Getting Your Point Across in Meetings

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Hello? Is anyone listening? Have you ever felt like you are not being heard during meetings at work or that you're not even given the chance to participate? It can happen to anyone, but some people find it harder than others to get their point across. Frustrating? Indeed. Especially when you know you have valuable information to share that deserves the team's attention and consideration.

Before you throw in the towel and decide the fight just isn't worth it, understand that there are ways in which you can get your point across in meetings… and others will sit up and listen. It may take a few tries, but before you know it, you will become a pro at participation. Finally, your voice will be heard, and your ideas will become part of the big picture.

Prepare and Practice

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You'd likely practice before giving a presentation or speech, so why not put the same effort into what you would like to speak about at an upcoming meeting? You already have the agenda, so prepare beforehand with clear thoughts and a plan of action as to how you'll relay them. Not only will you be organized and ready to share, but you'll be better informed and caught up on business matters in general.

Forbes recommends, "Find a group outside of work where you can practice speaking or create your own group with friends and colleagues."

Be Front and Center

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If you are already having issues with being heard during meetings, sitting off to the side or in the back of the room won't do you any favors. Jump right in and make yourself seen before you make yourself heard. You'll be noticed by others and right there amid the action.

As Goodwillnotes, "Positioning yourself near the center not only puts you in the middle of the conversation flow, but also subliminally reinforces that you're central to the discussion at hand." Sit up straight and exude confidence.

Choose Your Words Wisely

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When you are among a large group, there is little time for beating around the bush or speaking without purpose or clarity. Time is money, and your words are valuable. Make sure what you contribute will move the needle. Don't speak up just so you do not feel left out.

Forbes suggests the use of "power language." "Get to the point and be clear about what you want." Forget the "maybes" and "what ifs." Confidence is power, and your words are your allies.

Ask Questions

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You may not have something innovative to share at every meeting, but proving you are engaged in the discussion is important as well. Mindtoolssuggests "asking questions about what other attendees are saying. This shows you're attentive and interested."

By delving deep into the discussions and making sure you completely understand what's going on and what others' points of view are, you will be more informed and more likely to have something to bring to the table that others will want to absorb.

No Interruptions

It is inevitable that people will talk over one another during meetings, particularly as the head count goes up. Tact and respect can make this dynamic more palatable, but some people tend to be drowned out and steamrolled.

What to do? Speak up. If you are mid-thought, don't feel shy about asserting yourself and letting the team know that you're not done speaking. Goodwill suggests saying something along the lines of, "I'd love to hear your feedback, but wanted to finish saying one thing first." Your voice is just as important as everyone else's and you deserve your time to be heard.

Do you have advice for being heard in meetings? Which techniques have empowered you?

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