Afraid of Public Speaking 7 Tips to Do It Well

Afraid of Public Speaking 7 Tips to Do It Well Afraid of Public Speaking 7 Tips to Do It Well Article by Margie WarrellMy first-ever speaking engagement was at my childrens kindergarten. I was so nervous my knees were shaking and my fingers fumbled through the copious notes I kept referring to. Its fair to say I was far more focused on myself - on making a good impression and not making a fool of myself - than on the people in the room. All three of them.It was a humble beginning. Since then, Ive spoken to thousands of audiences - yes, attendance has increased - and Ive gotten better. The real aha moment came one day in Columbus, Ohio, when a tech issue left me without any slide deck or speaker notes. Nervous about messing up, I went into the bathroom and said my go-to prayer Dear God, me again. Any advice?As always, a divine whisper You know your stuff, Margie. You dont need tbux notes. Just speak to serve and all will be well.And it was. In fact, it was the best presentation Id ever given. More from the heart, less from the head.Countless people have asked me for advice on how to speak with more confidence in front of otzu sichs. They often share with me stories of their utter anxiety. One man confided hed thrown up before speaking to colleagues at an annual conference. A woman shared how shed needed a mental health day to manage her anxiety after her boss asked her to lead a big sales pitch to a major client. Another said, Id just die if I had to get up and do what you did.While Im sure she knew she wouldnt actually die, her language reflects the level of fear people have about public speaking. Fear of exposure. Fear of rejection. Fear of criticism, of ridicule, of social or professional humiliation. These fears may not be rational, but they are very real and can trigger an acute sense of vulnerability.TheNo. 1 piece of advice I give to anyone who wants to speak with greater power, presence, and impact is Dont make it about you.That may sound a little too simple if your knees abflug shaking at the very thought of having to speak to even one person, but its true.When you make what you have to say about yourself, that prevents you from speaking in ways that optimize how your words land on others. Ironically, the less focused you are on serving yourself when you speak, the more you actually do.Here are the keys to finding the courage to speak in front of others in ways that earn respectand improve outcomes for everyone - which, in the end, is the primary reason to ever open your mouth1. Set Your Highest IntentionWhat comes from the heart lands on the heart. Get clear about your highest intention for the people you are speaking to and for anyone who may be indirectly impacted by what you have to say. Keep in mind, your speaking is not about proving your brilliance, winning fans, making yourself right, or making others wrong. It is about making things better.If your words are coming purely from pride, arrogance, or ego, theyll almost certainly trigger a reaction in others that wont serve your cause. While accruing raving fans may be an outcome of what you say, if that is your primary goal, then your ego will undermine your authenticity.2. Narrow Your Core MessagesKeep it simple. People can only digest so much information. What is the core message you want people to remember, and what are the main actions you want them to take? Narrow it down and dont overwhelm your audience. You dont serve anyone if people walk away from your presentation feeling like they just drank from a fire hoseIf you are using slides to illustrate your points or convey data, resist the urge to fill every bit of space with all the knowledge in your head. Youll lose attention fast. Less is more.3. Show, Dont TellA few months ago, I was introduced to a new friends husband. Straight away, he said, Oh, weve met before. Just briefly. You were the opening speaker at my companys sales conference. I remember the story you told about your brothers motorbike accident. He went on to share how that story had taught him how to reframe when things werent going to plan.The point People remember stories, not stats. If Id just talked about the science of reframing, hed have long since forgotten a key point from my talk. So share storiesof yourself or others, infusing humor where appropriate. Just make sure the stories are relevant and reinforce your core message.4. Be Humble and AuthenticBefore people decide what they think of what you have to say, they decide what they think of you. Rest assured, no one warms to someone who comes across as being full of their own brilliance. People want to know the human, not the hero. Accordingly, we connect to others far more deeply through our vulnerabilities than our victories, more through our stories of missteps and disappointments than our stories of getting the glory or nailing it the first time.Share your journey, but balance the highlights with the lowlights, the successes with the setback s, the highs with the hard work and the hustle. This doesnt negate the importance of owning your value and believing in your worth. It just means speaking with humility, curiosity, and authenticity.5. Tune Into Your IntuitionLearning to read the room takes time. You build this skill by simply becoming present, by being aware of who shares your space and putting yourself in their shoes to see and feel the world as they do. What do you sense is weighing on peoples minds? What conversations are not occurring? What emotions are people wrestling with? What unmet needs, frustrations, and fears are standing between them and the actions that would serve them?It may be just an inkling. Trust it, and then be willing to adjust what you are saying to speak to these unspoken concerns. This can transform a good speech into a brilliant one.6. Embody AuthorityYour being speaks more loudly than your words ever can. Pay attention to how you are showing up for others, to the presence you bring into th e room or onto the stage. Your physiology impacts your psychology. Are you holding yourself as someone who knows the value of what they are going to say? This isnt about puffing yourself up or putting on a mask. Its about stepping into your power to embody authenticity.Shift your posture so you are standing straight and tall. Take a few deep breaths and connect with the ground beneath your feet. Own your space and the right to be where you are. Soften your face and smile with your eyes as you make eye contact with others. Speak with a calm and self-assured tone of voice that reveals your respect for others and your sincere desire to serve. If there is something you genuinely want to say, chances are there are people who genuinely need to hear it.7. Give Yourself Permission to Get BetterSpeaking in front of audiences in a way that engages and influences is a skill. Like all skills, it can be developed and mastered with practice. Dont wait until youre 100 percent sure youre going to s peak with the power of Tony Robbins, the charisma of Bill Clinton, or the elegance of Oprah Winfrey before you open your mouth. You may be waiting your whole life. Decide instead to give yourself permission not to nail every interaction or presentation, but simply to get better at them.- Your voice matters. Your opinions count. Never doubt that, or yourself. Rather, take a deep breath, trust yourself, and open your mouth to inform, elevate, and advance. In the end, its no more or less difficult than that.A version of this article originally appeared on SUCCESS.com.Margie Warrells four best-selling books - Find Your Courage, Stop Playing Safe, Train the Brave, and Make Your Mark - speak to her passion for emboldening people to take braver actions and make their biggest marks in work, leadership, and life. A sought-after keynote speaker and media commentator, Margie draws on her diverse international background in business, psychology, and coaching. Host of the Live Brave podcast, Ma rgie has worked with global leaders such as Richard Branson and sits on the advisory board of Forbes School of Business. An intrepid Aussie with a special passion for empowering women change-makers, she is also the mother of four brave-hearted children.