Apply the SIX Time-Tested Ways to Develop Confidence

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Speaking in front of a group of people? Ohw No!

This is one of the major concerns of students or any novice speakers.

Stage fright is something that we all face squarely. You can be someone who communicate fluently in all situations but frightened at the idea of standing up before a group of people to make a speech.

Would you believe me if I say standing in front of public is one of the greatest fears than death! Speech making does provoke one’s anxiety.

Let us be little more practical in handling nervousness. Athletes, actors, presenters, politicians and almost everyone tends to be anxious before doing something important in public.

 

76% of experienced speakers have stage fright before taking up the floor. Let us be practical in this matter, anxiety is not something that can be demolished totally but it can be controlled.

 

You should aim at transforming the negative energy into what one expert calls – positive nervousness. It is still nervousness, but it is different. You no longer feel abused by the feelings, but you started to vitalise by it.

 

How do we do that? Let’s look into these time-tested ways to overcome stage fright.

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SIX TIME-TESTED WAYS TO OVERCOME NERVOUSNESS:

 

1. Acquire speaking experience

The biggest fear we all face is the ‘unknown’ and ‘totally new’ in a situation. Once we are accustomed to the situation, it is no longer a threat! The more you participate and gain experience, the less threatening you will feel about this matter. The purpose of these trials is to shorten the process and minimize the potential errors. With all these experiences, fears about Public Speaking will eventually withdraw and they will be replaced by only a healthy nervousness.

  

2. Prepare, prepare, prepare

How much time is enough?

There is this rule of thumb, each minute of speaking time requires one to two hours of preparation time (maybe more), it depends on the research needed for the speech.

Sounds like a lot of time, but frankly speaking it is not. The rewards are worth it!

Imagine an actor, practicing getting his role until it is just right before acting it out on stage. The satisfaction in delivering something you want so much in the most perfect way.

Hope you will be convinced after reading this: Proper practice can reduce stage fright by up to 75%!

What are you waiting for then? Practice…Practice…Practice!

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3. Think positively

Well, confidence is the key for all of us! If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you are doomed!

It is scary to say that for each negative thought, you should counter with a minimum of five positive ones. Doing so not going to get the fear away but it at least will keep them under control.

Instead of compensating so much time and energy into thought transformation, you might as well begin with positive thoughts.

We all have been in that situation before, and I want you to think of a situation where so much of negative thoughts cluttered your mind and you ended up in stressing yourself. It is common and let us not repeat that from now on.

Let me show you a few examples of how negative thoughts can be transformed into positive thoughts.

 

4. Use the power of visualization

Not daydreaming!

It is the imagination where a person vividly pictures himself in a particular situation. You try to put things in a visible manner. It is a brilliant way to communicate abstract and concrete ideas.

As you create these images in your mind’s eyes, be realistic but keep focused on the positive aspects of your speech. don’t bring in too many negative elements and overshadow the positive elements.

Since we are focusing on nervousness and ways to overcome it brilliantly. I want you to include nervousness during your visualization. Visualize yourself getting through the hitches, be specific with the barrier. The more lucid imagination you have, the more successful you are likely to be.

Mental rehearsal is equally important as physical rehearsal. This should be done a few times before the actual speech delivery, and it helps to control your nervousness and craft a successful speech delivery.

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5. Know that most nervousness is not visible

I am sorry, I am nervous! Goodness, I’m nervous! Ohw no! – STOP saying these.

Do you know only a fraction of the turmoil you are feeling inside is visible on the outside?

Your anxiety will give you a thousand shocks, but the viewer can only see a few of them.

Sweating palms, fast pounding heart, butterflies all over your tummy, chills etcetera. These things probably won’t be noticed if you act ‘cool’.

Most of the time, the audience gets surprised when speakers claim they were dead nervous during their delivery because to them the speaker looked calm and assured.

This should make it easier for you to face your listeners with confidence than before.

 

6. Don’t expect perfection

Practice makes perfect – No, No…

PRACTICE MAKES PROGRESS!

There is no such thing as ‘perfect’ speech. At any point in a speech delivery, every speaker does or says something, no matter how minor that does not come across exactly as he or she had planned. Fortunately, it is NOT visible to your audience.

You are the creator, only you know what is going to be said. The audience only hears what the speaker does say. If you happen to change the content, lose the pace, reverse the orders, or even skip a couple of points, no one to notice them.

Do not worry and just proceed as if nothing happens.

One reason why people are so concerned about making mistakes in a speech is that they view speechmaking as a kind of performance rather than as an act of communication.

Remember, this audience is not present here to judge you. They are here to listen for a well thought out content that communicates the speaker’s ideas clearly and directly to them.

Guess what? Sometimes, an error or two can enhance your appeal by making you seem more human.

Do not panic about being perfect or what will happen if a mistake occurs.

 

Confidence gets nurtured. After your first good score, you will be much more confident the next time. Eventually, you become a more confident speaker. Not only that, but you also become confident in other aspects of your life too.