I have a fear of public speaking... i tend to panic and go red. Anyone help?

Question

Can anyone suggest any tips on getting over the panicky feeling of having to speak in public? Anyone know of any web sites or courses that are run to teach confidence in this area? I live in England.
I need to get over this to progress in my job.

Answer 1

Repeated exposure will build your confidence.

Toastmasters International is an organisation which specialises in building this skill in a very supportive environment.

You should join. I wish I had.

Answer 2

I think in part the reason you continue to feel the way you do about public speaking -is because of the preconceived notion you feed yourself . You have already told yourself what it is you do, when you speak in public:" you tend to panic and go red". You've said that enough times ; and now your mind believes you .
It's as though you expect to have a fear of public speaking before you even speak in public ; therefore , as long as you continue in this direction-how can anything change ? From now on , try a new tactic with yourself . Don't obsess about speaking in public , anymore than you would worry about talking to friends or family . If you have something to say-focus on the words & ideas . There will be no room for anything else .When you realize "speaking" and "talking"are pretty much the same thing , you'll get over it and wonder what all the fuss was about .

Answer 3

If you are even able to do any public speaking at all - even if you have some panic -you're farther ahead than someone like me.

There is no way I would be able to do any public speaking I have some kind of "brain thing" that is not fixable by pep talks, mental tricks, or self-confidence. I once was expected to do a big presentation for a good-sized company, and I was ready to just leave my job! (Fortunately, "God" took care of me and gave me a wonderful case of genuine laryngititis that followed a cold.) I'm a friendly, normal, confident, almost outgoing person "in real life" - but when it comes to public speaking you'd think I had autism or something!!

My point is if you are able to do any public speaking at all I've heard people say that it gets easier with practice and with - as you're looking for - some tips on being more confident. Try to see that you are not among the worst when it comes to public speaking If you are at all able to do it then on a scale of 0 -10, with me being at -35 and 10 being the confident, comfortable, speaker; you're already at - what - a 3 or 4?

Answer 4

Most questions on yahoo are simple when we understand the question. Actually none of the tips mentioned so far helped me. I went on courses, tried hpnotherapy, practised, did it all. No diffeence. I refused to be best man at my brothers wedding beacause of the speech. Its like fear of snakes. or flying. The attention is put on the snake or flying when its actually crashing or getting bitten is the problem.
Recently my mother died and the church has 300 people. I so wanted to give a personal presentation to her but thought of standing there without a microphone and fail in front of so many people I knew!
But I did it when no one else in the family would. And I did it very well. I was completely at ease.
So whats changed. Simple. the focus. First you must want to do the presentation or at least have some motivation in doing so. Focus on the reason for it. Then on the content. Once the focus is away from them its easy. Prepare well. Be confident in the material .
At the funeral I thought I am doing it for her. After that it was easy.
Now I do presentations regularly. I do them in a way that keeps the people interested. But really you must have a good reason to do them and have a interest in the material. Not because you have to. Otherwise you go against your whole being. Hence the redness.
Its like everything in life. All about focus.
Good question my friend.

Answer 5

Force yourself into situations where you have to speak in front of people. Plan out what you will say very thoroughly and practice it a ton of times. Speak slowly because you will probably speak faster when you're up front. Have props to give you a little stall time- pause to drink some water, adjust your glasses, point out a diagram, etc. Anything that allows you to take a breath and relax. A few seconds of silence is really perfectly acceptable. And for goodness' sake don't hold your notes in your hand! It is totally obvious that your hands are shaking when the paper rustles. Get a podium or something to put your notes on and rest your hands on. Focus your eyes on the exit sign or light at the back of the room, just above everyone's heads. Direct your speech to that exit sign. (Once you get more comfortable you can try looking at the faces of the people but avoid eye contact).

Answer 6

I took a 12-week course in public speaking and human relations from the Dale Carnegie Course. I don't know if they give classes from that organization in England, you'll have to find out. People are more afraid of public speaking than they are of dying. Interesting huh? This course helped develop my skills in public speaking and it was an excellent experience for me. I could tell a difference when I had to give speeches in school several years after I took it. I recommend it to anyone who is serious about being a better public speaker.

Answer 7

All you need to know is that you are equal to everyone you are speaking in front of and that you have an objective in what you want to say. Dont be fearful theyre just human beings of about equal intelligence and the same kind of things thyre afraid of. Simply just own the environment that your speaking in and be strong and confident and be objective. Capture the attention of the audience, you know how people are so utilize what ever you can to capture you audience...any other questions feel free to ask...

Answer 8

Hypnotherapy might help with this irrational fear.
It's because you feel vulnerable and exposed. Vulnerability is when you cannot see yourself doing something.
Take some quiet time to visualise yourself public speaking, and attach a feeling of confidence to this visualisation by remembering a time when you last felt confident and good about yourself. You have to attach the feeling in order for it to stick.
whilst you're visualising this experience in your mind, pinch your thumb nail into your index finger. This is called an anchor and is used is you feel yourself going during your presentation to pull you back in. I know how whack this sounds, but my friend who's a managing director for B.T. uses it. It really does work.
Good luck.

Answer 9

Make sure you know your subject that you are presenting on, and always present your own material and not anyone elses, this way, you'll know what point you are trying to make. If anyone asks you a question that you don't know the answer to, then don't blag it, simply say you don't know, and tell them you will find out for them if they provide you their contact details.

Finally, just keep doing it.... I have had to present and train in my job now for the last 8 years, and to be honest I can do it in my sleep now. I was terrified the first few times. The bigger the audience the easier it is I find.

Answer 10

I saw a topic on that very issue awhile back. First know your speech, memorize it if possible. Have your speech typed out and in front of you in case you feel you need to look down. The more prepared with your speech the less nervous you may find yourself to be.
Practice your speech in front of a mirror. Focus your eyes on a object you see behind you in the mirror. Talk directly to that object during your speech.
Remember, you may begin nervous, your voice might tremble once or more times...remain focused and after a few seconds things will go normally.
When you go before people with your speech, look beyond the students or people there and focus on an object and talk to it.

Answer 11

Yeah I use to have that problem too. I realized that I wasn't scared of speaking in public, I was just scared that I would turn red. I got over it though, all I did was just not think about it, I wouldn't think of turning red or anything, it took me a while though.
At first I would still turn red and I would just ignore it even though people said "Hey, your face is turning red." I would just say something like "It is?" or "Who cares that's how I am." I don't know, I eventually got over it. Just don't think about it.