How mastering speaking in public can boost your overall confidence

Sometimes, doing something we find difficult, even when we don’t want to, can produce the most amazing results. One of the things many people have to do but don’t really want to is speak in public, whether giving a work presentation or delivering a speech at a family gathering.

It is well-known that a majority of people fear public speaking. While the cliché that people are more afraid of talking in public than they are of dying (meaning they’d rather be dead in a box than reading the eulogy for the departed), it is a real fear that people have. Let’s dig into some of the reasons so many people struggle with speaking up.

A Proxy For Other Fears

I believe that it is not the speaking itself that bothers most people who say they are afraid. Rather it is a proxy for other fears that are very real: fear of failure, fear of being judged, rejected, fear of letting people down, fear of not being good enough. All of these fears seem to come to the surface when we are standing up, on that stage, in front of a crowd.

This, however, provides us with an opportunity. What if, by conquering our fear of public speaking, we could start to strip these other fears of their power over us? And in turn we could start to become more confident across all areas of our lives?

By investing in the time to train in public speaking, you are taking a positive, forward step towards developing more confidence. Because once you can speak on a stage with confident, compelling messaging, using a powerful, controlled voice, other tasks – that tricky conversation with a colleague, that awkward event talking to people you don’t know – become easier. You’ve proven to yourself that you can do one of the hardest things and not only survive but flourish. Other things are suddenly easier by comparison.

Sometimes the only way to overcome a fear is to expose yourself to it. This is how you can eliminate most of your fear of speaking in public (not all as some fear – excitement will likely always be there; it shows that you care). Through practice. But not just random practice. Intentional practice.

Nail Your Opening

In particular, practise your opening. Starting strongly is essential to the success of your talk for many reasons; one of those is helping to calm your nerves, get the audience on your side. I don’t usually advocate memorizing your entire as it can make you sound robotic and unnatural. However, I make an exception for the opening of your talk. Practise this until you have it memorized. Ensure that it is a strong one of course, by focusing on your key message and making your introduction unusual, interesting or thought-provoking. And memorize it until you have it mastered. Once you have practised this several Here are two more ways you can overcome your fear and make the whole of your life when communicating with others, better.

**Positive Body Language **

Even if you are not feeling confident, you can use your body to ‘fake it until you make it’. The mind and the body are one connected system. When you are nervous, your palms sweat, your heart beats faster and other things in your body manifest your fear. But it works the other way around too. Standing up straight, with your shoulders back can help you feel better. Just like looking at the floor indicates nerves, deliberately looking people in the eye indicates confidence even if it is not real confidence…yet.

Force your body to be positive and the mind will follow.

Speak Slowly

Finally, and almost counter-intuitively, speaking slowly is an essential part of the presenter’s armoury. By deliberately speaking more slowly than you normally would you help yourself calm your nerves. Your breathing will become more deliberate, in tune with the speed of your voice. This will help you feel more relaxed and in control. People speak quickly when they are nervous. You are more likely to make mistakes when speaking quickly. You are also more likely to lose the audience too. Therefore, speaking slowly not only helps you to be calmer; it also helps your audience stay with you.

As in presentations and speaking in public, so in life in general. These ideas and techniques can be applied across the board, in all aspects of your life, to help you live more confidently and in a way that is more authentic to yourself.