Presence Training

How to Prepare for a Public Speech if you Have Anxiety

 

Public speaking anxiety, also known as glossophobia, is one of the most widespread social fears out there. Although some people may feel nervous about giving speeches and presentations, if you are experiencing a social anxiety disorder, public speaking may be an absolute nightmare.

 

Public speaking anxiety may also be called performance anxiety, a type of social anxiety disorder (SAD). Social phobias are the most common type of mental health condition. Symptoms of public speaking anxiety are the very same that happens with social anxiety disorder, but they only happen when speaking in public. If you are suffering from public speaking anxiety, you will likely be worried about an upcoming speech or presentation for months before it happens. You will experience physical symptoms of anxiety during the speech, such as a pounding heart, quivering voice, dizziness, upset stomach, shortness of breath, blushing, shaking and more.

 

Preparing for a Public Speech

 

There are several ways you can use to cope with speech anxiety, as well as become better at public speaking in general. Public speaking is similar to any other activity. Training and preparation mean better performance when your experience grows. You will be better prepared, with boosted confidence and you’ll find it easier to concentrate on getting your message across to your audience. Even if you suffer from social anxiety, you can deliver a great speech with proper treatment and enough time devoted to preparing ahead of time.

 

Planning Ahead

 

Taking serious steps to plan before the speech will give you better control over your anxiety. Before you give a speech, consider the following:

 

Choosing a topic that is close to your heart. If you can, you should choose something you’re excited about. If you can’t choose the topic yourself, you should use an approach to the topic you find interesting. As an example, you can give a personal story that relates to the topic as a way of introducing it to your speech. You can ensure you are engaged in the topic and you will stay motivated in your preparation and research. That way, when you are presenting, your enthusiasm and interest in the topic will be inspiring to your audience.

 

Be familiar with the venue you’ll be visiting. You should visit the conference room, auditorium, classroom, banquet hall, whatever it is. Familiarising yourself with its look, practising in there just for the environment, all of those things will help ease you into the speech when the time comes. Being familiar with the venue is one of the best ways to relax.

 

Ask for accommodations. This means changes to the work environment that would help you deal with anxiety. A podium, a pitcher of water, audiovisual equipment and even choosing to stay seated if you can, all of those can make a difference. If you have been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, then you may need to let the organisers know ahead of time, so they can give you a hand. There’s no shame in having someone watching your back.

 

Avoid scripting your speeches. If you have ever sat through a speech where someone reads it prepared ahead of time, word-by-word, then you know you will probably fail to recall much of what was said. Prepare a list of key points on paper and note cards you can use later on. 

 

Develop your routine. Putting one together to manage your anxiety can be of great help before a presentation or speech. It should help put you in the proper state of mind, allowing you to maintain a relaxed state before, during and after the event. It may be something as simple as practising before a mirror or meditation, whatever works for you.

 

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