Clammy hands. Shaky voice. Quickening heartbeat. These are just some of the dreaded side-effects of public speaking. When all eyes are on you, the fear sets in. Yet, for most of us, public speaking is a necessity. Whether speaking in front of a large crowd or a few colleagues, knowing how to carry yourself and present yourself with strength is paramount.
Here are three simple ways to deal with your fear of public speaking and kick some of those nervous jitters:
Practice, Practice, Practice
If you know you have to give a presentation, then set yourself up for success by practicing the heck out of it. Like anything else in life, being well prepared is a surefire way to guarantee success. Even if it’s a short, 5-minute speech, practice every word and every pause so muscle memory kicks in and you almost don’t even have to think about what you’re going to say.
Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself
Most of the times, we’re our own biggest critic. We think everyone is judging us and notices every movement and small detail. Chances are, however, your audience is half-way listening to you and half-way wondering what’s for dinner. People are self-centered, and if you mess up somewhere in your speech, they’ll probably forget about it in 10 minutes. Don’t be so on hard on yourself!
Smile.
This may sound like a simple no-brainer, but it’s easy to forget about smiling while public speaking. By smiling, you can naturally calm your nerves and engage your audience in a positive way. Practice smiling while delivering your presentation. It’ll automatically send some much-needed endorphins your way.