3 Steps to Dance with the Fear of Public Speaking

I hardly know anyone who’s scared of speaking. It’s the public part that makes the situation bad for quite a few folks.

Interesting.

But what defines public?

Are you scared of talking to waiter, a doctor, a teacher, your parents…? Yes? No? Do they count in as public?

I think when we say public speaking, we are talking about any group large enough or important enough or influential enough that we’re afraid of it. Right?

I don’t believe in revolution. I believe in evolution — that ultimately looks like a revolution.

Dancing with this fear of public speaking is easy. [Ok, not that easy… but doable]

Try these 3 things:

• Believe that you can overcome it. And that’s true. Every single important thing you do now is what you were not good at or you were fearful. Now you are doing it. Right! I know it is not easy. It’s difficult, but it’s possible.
• Work your way up. Share things with your friends with a mindset that you are trying to sell an idea or influence their decision. If possible, stand and deliver. Move up. Get some other audience [not with whom your stakes are high]. Move gradually up. No plunges.
• Change the frame. Instead of presenting, try to solve a problem for listeners. When you are trying to solve a problem for someone, you are courageous and generous at the same time. Use it.

I hope it works. And before that, I hope you try it. And that you share it with those who need it.