The “Fear of Public Speaking” doesn’t care about your
Age, Education, or Occupation. Fear
Survey after survey lists it at top of the ‘Fear List’ most people have. Some say they would rather die than stand in front of an audience and deliver a speech. Unfortunately, it holds many people back from reaching their true potential.
It is a fear worth confronting and overcoming.
You might be the world’s leading authority on a subject, but if you can’t present that expertise to others in a manner that educates, entertains, and explains it well, you won’t achieve the goals that should be yours!
The research shows: “Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career and Leadership Opportunities.”
I have coached individuals from all occupations and educational backgrounds. They’ve ranged in age from fourth grade student to seniors.
Their occupations are varied. They include:
- CEO
- Author
- Lawyer
- Entrepreneur
- Father of the bride
- Mid-level manager
- Commercial airline pilot
- Internet marketing expert
- Beauty Pageant Contestant
- and many others from a variety of occupations.
I have found no common denominator for this fear. Since it affects, at one time or another, up to 75% of the population, I don’t believe there is one.
Why do we have this fear?
1. Out of our Comfort Zone
First of all, for most people, speaking in front of a group takes us out of our comfort zone. Most of our talking is one-on-one; and much of that is on a telephone! It’s easy to understand why having fifty to hundred or more eyeballs looking at us would give an uneasy feeling.
Standing in front of an audience, and being “in the spotlight” is not, for most, an everyday event. Add to this the fact that you are the only one talking and, for the most part, have to rely on reading nonverbal communication for the effectiveness of your presentation.
2. The What Ifs?
What if:
- I mess up?
- they don’t like me?
- I’m not perfect?
- they start laughing at me?
- the last speaker was way better than I am?
- stop paying attention to my presentation?
- they ask me a question I don’t know the answer to?
- someone knows more about the subject than I know?
- and one of the biggest what ifs
- What if I’ve got nothing to tell them that they don’t already know?
- Nonsense!
- What if I’ve got nothing to tell them that they don’t already know?
A good friend once said, “Often, you’re so close to your own knowledge base that
you don’t know what you know!”
- Your every day could be someone else’s payday!
- Your every day could be someone else’s Ah Hah moment!
You definitely have something to say!
Talk about:
- your passion.
- your job.
- your greatest success.
- your biggest failure.
- your travel experience.
- your family.
- your hobby.
- your dreams!
3. The Fear of Failure!
Failure gets a bad rap! Instead of avoiding things we might fail at, we should embrace those opportunities.
Think about yourself. Have you learned more from what you’ve done correctly or from things you’ve ‘failed’ at? I assume, like me, it’s the things you didn’t do so well. First you’re upset. When you cool off you analyze what went wrong and how to fix it. When something goes correctly, you probably don’t give it a second thought, and perhaps, think you’re “just good!”
Most very successful people say if they had to do it all over, again, they would:
- Fail early.
- Fail often.
- Sometimes, fail BIG!
If you have a Fear of Public Speaking, it is normal.
You are not alone. 75% of the population has this fear. There’s even a word for it – glossophobia. Glosso is from the Greek meaning tongue, and phobus meaning fear.
The important thing to remember is that it is a Word, not a disease. It can be controlled! For strategies to lessen this fear read my other posts and/or buy the book,
“No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Thanks for visiting my Post!
For reading, and/or listening, this far I’d like to give you a FREE Gift.
Go to: https://nosweatpublicspeaking.com/freegift to receive it!
About the Author
Fred E. Miller is a speaker, a coach, and author of the book, “No Sweat Public Speaking!”
Businesses and individuals hire him because they want to improve their
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.
They do this because we perceive really great speakers to be Experts.
Perception is reality and we rather deal with Experts.
They also know: Speaking Opportunities are Business Opportunities.
Speaking Opportunities are Career Opportunities.
He shows them how to Develop, Practice and Deliver Knock Your Socks Off Presentations! with –
No Sweat!
Fred E. Miller
Fred@NoSweatPublicSpeaking.com
nosweatpublicspeaking.com
6 Comments
Your tips about what to say are very valuable. Thanks for sharing your expertise Fred! – Mason
Fred:
Good advice, but a silly opening sentence.
I’ve blogged about 22 surveys of people’s fears, ranging from serious to frivolous. Public speaking only was at the top of the list half the time. How many have you looked at?
Richard
Thanks for visiting and taking time to comment, Mason!
Quite a few, Richard.
Top of 50% of the lists? Sounds like it was higher than other fears most the time.
We can agree to disagree if you thought it was silly, or not.
I appreciate you visiting the site and taking time to post a comment.
Fred,
No question that many fear this animal called “Public Speaking.” One thing I think helps me is to remember who the focus is on. If I’m focused on me, I might be scared. However, I think the focus should be on the audience. What are their needs? How can I help or serve them? How can I make a difference in their lives? Then the “what ifs” won’t matter so much. If I can impact the audience, I make a difference even if I have a faux pas.
Joe
Absolutely correct, Joe.
It’s all about the audience, not you!
You GET IT! That’s why you’re a superb speaker.
Thanks for visiting and taking time to post a comment.