Would you hit the brakes the moment the low fuel warning light lit up on your dashboard. Probably not. You would keep driving, knowing that it is merely a warning. Would you take any medication if you read all the contraindications? You would still take the medication, right?
So why get in a state if you get a warning that speaking in public can lead to people disagreeing with you or judging you. They do all the time, don’t they?
If you have a message to deliver to a group, just do it. The more you do it, the better you get. You won’t die.You probably won’t even get sick or faint.
The problem is not the speaking but the thoughts you have about speaking.
‘I’ll forget what I am going to say’
‘They won’t like me’
‘I’ll make a fool of myself’
‘I’ll get embarrassed’
So what? Were you worried about riding a bike for the first time? Did you make a fool of yourself?
Now back to the real cause, your thoughts.
Either ignore them or change them.
Make sure you know what you are talking about. Prepare. Think about possible risk. e.g equipment failure. Manage the risk. Have a cheat sheet with a map of your presentation. Not a work doc.
Alternative one – change your thoughts. When useless thoughts come into your head, dispute them.
I won’t make a fool of myself. I know what I am talking about. The audience have come to learn not judge. Fear is normal and doesn’t need to disable me. Keep breathing.
Alternative two – ignore the thoughts. Let them drift by as if they were clouds. Identify them as thoughts. Interesting…there’s that thought again. If you do this often enough, the sudden impact in your stomach will not happen even if your computer freezes in the middle of a presentation. You will simply go to play B which you had prepared.
Spend a day monitoring your internal thoughts. How many are positive or neutral? Just be aware. Also examine your attitude to speaking in public. Is it positive, neutral or negative. Just be aware and accepting of your present attitude.
If you need help to improve your attitude or your performance, contact me. I can help with Public Speaking Coaching. You will be amazed at the progress you will make once there is a shift in your attitude.
Contact me at www.paddyspruce.com.au
Call me on 03 9808 8990
