How To Mentally Prepare Yourself For Your Speech
Being an industry leader will require you to give speeches at events and conferences around the world. Whether you are delivering a speech on the future of politics or business needs, it is important that you be mentally prepared for handling such an occasion. Unfortunately, many people are ill-prepared when they speak in public causing them a great deal of fear and anxiety when they do get up on stage.
It seems like most people have a fear of public speaking. And unfortunately, for many people it’s not something that can just be turned off. Even if you mentally know there is nothing to be afraid of, you can’t just decide to get over a fear of public speaking. However, after a few tips and some practice, you can begin to overcome your fears.
Use Visualization
One technique that can help you deal with your fear of public speaking is to visualize yourself on stage in front of your closest friends and family. Picture every detail, down to what you are wearing, where you are standing, and the words you are saying. Are you holding a microphone or using a laser pen? Imagine what your friends and family will look like and how they will react to your speech. Picture a standing ovation when you finish! Other similar techniques that can help you conquer your fear of public speaking include biofeedback and deep breathing.
Relaxing Is Essential
According to business coach Chris Stevens from the Coaching Institute, it is easy to remove anxiety from public speaking by relaxing as much as possible before it is time to give your speech. Taking a deep breathe in and out for a few minutes will help you to relax. People also practice deep breathing techniques in Yoga and Tai Chi as a way to heal the body, and clear the mind. Therefore, applying proper breathing techniques will release tension associated with anxiety.
You will find that relaxing your body will slow the rapid heartbeat, which is one of the effects of anxiety a person feels before they give their speech. The proper breathing technique is more than just breathing in and out slowly to balance the oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood. You must take in a deep breathe for four seconds, then hold it for seven seconds, and release for eight seconds.
“As you practice your breathing technique, try to think positively about whom you are, and what your purpose is for giving the speech” suggests Dan Smith from Keynote Speaker. “Redirecting your thoughts to a positive one while breathing properly will help to increase your chances of overcoming your fear. Even doing cardio, days before you are due to speak will increase your ability to overcome your fear.”
Proper breathing has a lot to do with cardio exercises, and can teach you how to relax during a strenuous activity. Therefore, remember that proper breathing is essential to overcoming fear of public speaking.
Use Your Fear To Excite You
Try to use your fear and channel the adrenaline into energy for your speech. Use the fear as a motivation to prepare well and practice enough to feel like you could do the speech in your sleep. Tell yourself that everyone feels a fear of public speaking, at some level. This is true even of those who are experienced or speak for a living. Try to take the fear and make it work for you.
Be Yourself
Another tip is to just relax and be yourself when up on stage. Many people try to become a different person once they step up to the stage. We have this preconceived notion of what a public speaker should be and try to emulate that. Trying to copy someone else’s style will only make it more uncomfortable for you. Always show the audience your true self, not somebody else.
Everything Is Fine
Finally, remember that nothing really bad will happen if you make a slip or mistake while public speaking. Mistakes can actually serve to humanize you and make you more likable to the audience. More than likely, everyone in the audience has dealt with a fear of public speaking so they’ll understand. Just go up there, be yourself, and let things take its course.
Public speaking doesn’t have to be stressful. Just by following a few guidelines, you can overcome your fear of public speaking. It won’t happen overnight, but as you practice, you’ll get used to it and soon everything will fall into place.
Once you have delivered a few successful speeches, you will have enough confidence to feel less miserable before a speech.
