Fear of Public Speaking

In this episode we explored the Fear of Public Speaking. We not only delved into the psychology and biology behind this common fear, but also offered practical tips to conquer it. A Fear of Public Speaking is a widespread and natural human response. Many people, including professionals and seasoned speakers, grapple with it - sweaty palms, racing heartbeats, and the infamous "butterflies in the stomach." Instead, reframe this into the feeling of excitement.

Techniques to Overcome the Fear:

1. Reframe Your Purpose: Instead of focusing on self-doubt or anxiety, consider how your speaking serves as a beacon for others. Think of yourself as a lighthouse guiding ships safely to shore. By shifting your mindset to see your speech as a contribution to others, you can alleviate anxiety.

2. Spotlight Versus Lighthouse Analogy: A spotlight shines intensely on the speaker, creating a sense of exposure and self-consciousness. In contrast, a lighthouse's purpose is to guide and protect. When you view your speaking as a lighthouse, your focus shifts from yourself to the audience, allowing you to share your message with confidence and authenticity. When you concentrate on guiding and enlightening your audience rather than impressing them, you're more likely to stay on track and connect with your listeners.

3. Music – Psych yourself into excitement with your favourite high energy music.

4. Power Pose – Amy Cuddy and Anthony Robbins have both spoken about changing your physical stature to create confidence.

5. Remove the chatter in your head with a really cool technique – you need to listen to the podcast to learn it.

“According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.” ― Jerry Seinfeld

To remember and present your thoughts cohesively, we discussed practical strategies;

• Break your speech down into key points, infuse it with relatable anecdotes or stories, and consider the use of visual aids for clarity.
• The importance of practice was highlighted. Rehearsing your speech multiple times can help solidify your ideas and prevent memory lapses during the presentation.
• Use mnemonic devices or visualization techniques to remember the structure of your speech - Chunk your speech into bites with a picture in your mind. It can be totally ridiculous such as a big set of lips on your head, or juggling balls on your eyebrows etc.
• Visualise the speech as a movie in your mind.
• Record your presentation – listen back to hear what you can remove (filler words and distractions from your messaging).

You can not only overcome your fear but also become a more confident and impactful speaker. Remember, your words have the potential to guide and inspire, just like a lighthouse guiding ships through turbulent waters (Corny, but true).

BTW We’re still waiting for Bollinger to contact us to sponsor the next episode ;)