Read our 5 tips from Speaker Express on how to deal with nerves when public speaking:
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Breathe
Use breathing techniques so that your physiology works with you, rather than against you. Breathing wrongly will only make anxiety worse.
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Don’t Worry About Pleasing Everyone
There will always be people who don’t like what you’re saying but you’re not doing it for them. Focus on the people you know your message will benefit.
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Think About The Bigger Picture
Imagine your life as a big canvas. Every speaking gig you do is just a fleck of paint in a bigger picture. In time, any mistakes you once fretted over will fade into obscurity.
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Reassure Yourself
When you start having thoughts like “I shouldn’t be here” use reaffirming language and be assertive about it. Speak supportively to yourself both internally and externally.
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Face Your Fears
What’s the worst thing that could happen while you’re up there? Thinking about this not only makes you realise you can cope with it but also that many of your fears are unfounded.
If you like this article, why not read our ultimate practical speaking guide or 7 ways to feel more confident when you’re not feeling it posts.
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Speaker Express run fun and thought-provoking sessions that will change your perception towards PUBLIC SPEAKING. As part of their 6-month Speaking Accelerator, Speaker Express has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs to successfully pitch for investment and funding, gain the confidence to push their business from home office to the stage, give talks on TEDx stages, generate more leads or land big corporate contracts.
Great points you have there, Lou! 🙂 One thing I’d like to add is that, whenever I speak in front of a lot of people, I always try to make my words as simpler as possible and as if like I’m only speaking to one. That makes me feel like I’m just mentoring a person rather than a whole auditorium 🙂
Thanks for your comments – great tip. Yes I think if you can talk as if on a one to one basis and tell your Story (so as to engage people) it really works.