| According to 'The Book of Lists', the fear of | | | | life long fear of public speaking. |
| public speaking ranks number one in the minds of | | | | The brain links the negative feelings associated |
| the majority of people. Far above the fear of | | | | with that experience to other similar experiences. |
| death and disease, comes the fear of standing in | | | | Attaching emotions to situations is one of the |
| front of a crowd. | | | | primary ways that humans learn. But sometimes |
| Public speaking is a common source of stress. | | | | we get the wiring wrong. Many people suffering |
| Many of us would like to avoid this problem | | | | from fear of public speaking believe they are |
| entirely, but that is nearly impossible. Whatever | | | | alone in feeling so frightened, when in fact this |
| our work eventually we will need to speak in | | | | fear is shared by millions even though nobody |
| public to get certain tasks accomplished. And if | | | | likes to talk about it. |
| we want to be leaders or achieve anything | | | | If you can adopt the following sentence: "I |
| meaningful in our lives, we will often have to | | | | stopped worrying about what people would think |
| speak to groups, large and small, to become | | | | about me, when I realized how seldom people |
| successful. | | | | think about anyone but themselves" you have got |
| But instead of appropriate levels of adrenalin and | | | | it made. |
| excitement to optimize our performance, we get | | | | There is no real trick to public speaking, there is |
| a fear response like we are being attacked by a | | | | only confidence. And confidence is gained by |
| wild animal. | | | | practice and experience. Of course good |
| Everything in our body and mind screams "run | | | | preparation and relaxation techniques before giving |
| away"! But we can't, we have to ignore our 'fight | | | | a speech help but practice will make you a |
| or flight' response and stay put. And what's more, | | | | master. |
| we are supposed to sound eloquent and informed | | | | To gain experience outside those scary live |
| at the same time. Not an easy task. | | | | performances in front of your peers, joining a |
| The reason most people get anxious when | | | | local Toastmasters Club is a great idea. Or get |
| required to speak to a group is that they are | | | | yourself a Public Speaking or Speech Coach. In |
| afraid of looking foolish or stupid in front of | | | | both cases you will get the chance to practice |
| others. The fear that their lack of speaking skills | | | | and hone your skills in a friendly environment. And |
| might lower the opinion others have of them | | | | you will get valuable feedback. |
| becomes overwhelming. | | | | Overcoming fear by actively and consciously |
| The fear of public speaking often results from | | | | facing it in the least painful way has proven to be |
| painful experiences during school days when we | | | | extremely effective - also in this all encompassing |
| failed in class and were teased by the other | | | | fear of public speaking. So go out and speak! |
| children. Being humiliated can destroy a person's | | | | Finding your voice in public will be the most freeing |
| ego and confidence for a long time and a short | | | | experience you can imagine. |
| experience followed by humiliation can result in this | | | | |