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How To Overcome Shyness While Public Speaking

Some people are natural showmen. They love telling a story and have no problem getting up in front of a crowd to enthrall others by telling it. Others are naturally shy or fearful just because of the occasion or a personality attribute. Some of the world's finest actors have such fear of performing, they're nearly paralyzed by the thought. But, they have learned techniques to overcome it to let them perform at their peak.

Because those techniques are learned, you can learn them too.

Fear of looking foolish is one of the most basic, and most common, reasons that public speaking creates shyness or fear. No one wants to look incompetent in front of a group of people. But recognizing that the fear exists and is perfectly natural is the first step to overcoming it.

Start by practicing in the mirror. Note any awkward gestures, look for any portions of the speech where you find the phrases hard to say. Smooth them out by re-working them. Make it as easy on yourself as possible.

Then practice in front of one or two trusted friends or loved ones. Knowing that you have a forgiving audience will give you a little breathing room at the same time as you build confidence. It also gives you a chance to practice your speech until you know it cold. That way, you don't have to worry about not being prepared. That's another confidence builder.

In addition to providing practice in front of a forgiving audience, giving your speech to one or two others in advance let's you spot any sections that are dull. Keep an eye on your audience. If you can't interest friends in what you have to say, you probably aren't going to thrill a room of strangers.

But choose that practice audience well. If you're giving a speech on the politics of Zimbabwe to a busy mom with a two year old, she may be distracted for reasons having nothing to do with your talk. Don't underestimate your audience, either, though. All kinds of people are interested in all kinds of things, if they're discussed in an interesting way.

Having a solid speech helps. But practice delivering it in an interesting way as well. People relax when you are relaxed. Sometimes, you just have to fake it, at least at the beginning. Usually, once you get started the fear will disappear.

How does it do that?

Because by continuing on through the fear, you are focusing on the speech, not your nervousness. You can only hold so much in your mind at once. Turning your attention outward - to the audience, to the topic, to the event - keeps it from being turned inward on your uncomfortable feelings. Dwelling on the fear tends to increase it. Speaking through it tends to dissipate shyness.

Experience will help. The first speech you give may not be your best. But over time, by using these techniques, you will develop skill at public speaking. Before long, you'll be an old pro.