The best way to tackle public speaking nervousness and anxiety about giving a presentation is through preparation. If your presentation is well written, rehearsed and you know all of the details about the presentation location your public speaking nervousness will be calmed. In contrast, if you storm out of your house, twenty minutes late with a yogurt stain on your blouse and you did not get a chance to practice your presentation, you will most likely experience public speaking nervousness. Even Oprah Winfrey would be nervous speaking under those conditions!
Arguably the most famous orator of the 20th century had a rule about the amount of preparation that is necessary for presentations. Winston Churchill would spend one hour for each minute of speaking time! This fact clearly dispels the notion that phenomenal public speaking is an inborn talent. Churchill is testament to the fact that it takes hard work and preparation. The modern rule of thumb for preparation is that you should spend 10 hours for each hour of speaking time in order to limit public speaking nervousness. This practice time does not take into consideration the time you should spend learning about the venue, audience research and research about other speakers.
What is Public Speaking Nervousness?
Here are the symptoms of public speaking nervousness:
- your voice starts shaking and it sounds like you “swallowed a frog”
- high degree of perspiration
- inability to remember lines or think clearly
Sound familiar?
The major preparation strategy that is effective to battle public speaking nervousness is positive visualization. This is a tactic used by high performers in sports or business. I even know of a surgeon who pictures himself performing the surgery successfully before he even steps into the operating room.
For example, you picture yourself speaking with confidence. You hear the applause of the audience in your ears. You think about what it would feel like to receive genuine compliments from your coworkers.
The more specific your visualization, the more effective the tactic at reducing public speaking nervousness.
