For some
people speaking in public can be a horrific and embarrassing experience. One
can experience anxiety, and even become nauseous at the thought. With practice
and techniques, you can overcome your fears and stand up before an audience
with confidence and poise. In this article, Michael
Wiener of Albuquerque New Mexico, founder of Bestplates.com, shares
four tips on becoming more confident when speaking in public.
Understand
What Makes You Fearful
One of the
most common issues when it comes to public
speaking is stage fright. Something causes you to be afraid of your
audience, and suddenly you are sweating, forget what you are trying to say, or
begin to mumble. To overcome stage fright, you must first understand the
underlying reason as to why speaking in public makes you so fearful.
To identify
what is making you afraid, ask yourself the following questions: “What will I
do to embarrass myself?” and “Why am I afraid to be on stage?” The first
question usually resonates with answers such as doing something silly or saying
something the audience finds stupid or doesn’t understand. However, the
audience doesn’t know your speech ahead of time and has no way of knowing if
you mess up or not. You can find peace in knowing that their minds are a blank
slate waiting to learn from what you have to say. The second question commonly
results in people afraid of the silence of the audience is staring at them. The
audience is looking at you because they are eager to hear what you have to say.
Remember, you are speaking for a reason, and they are there because what you
have to share is important for them to hear.
Practice
The more
time you dedicate to practicing what you have to say in public, the more
confidence you will have in your speech. Take time to do your research and
ensure you are a subject matter expert on the topic. Whether you stand in front
of a mirror, practicing speaking in front of a loved one, or record yourself,
take adequate time to prepare and review your practice. Take notes and adjust
until you are happy with the result. Being prepared gives you the ability to
calm down, take a breath, and adjust without feeling like you have lost control
of your speech altogether.
Be Natural
and Authentic
Public
speaking is what you make of it. You are probably more comfortable making a
toast at a dinner party or telling a story to a room full of friends. Pretend
you are in one of those situations and act as though you are conversing with a
few people in the audience. Be yourself and act as how you usually would.
People make the mistake of trying to copy famous public speakers when
realistically, they should focus on being comfortable in their own shoes.
Dress to
Impress
When
speaking in public, take the time to select the appropriate outfit. Dressing
professionally can boost your confidence; however, make sure you dress
comfortably as well. The last thing you want to do is wear a shirt or dress
that makes it difficult to breathe in, which can increase your anxiety. Find
what makes you feel confident but lets you move effortlessly.
About
Michael Wiener
Michael
Wiener, Albuquerque New Mexico entrepreneur, is a
license plate collector, researcher, and consultant who is considered one of
America’s leading authorities in the field of automobile license plates and
motor vehicle licensing systems. He is also a former Albuquerque City
Councilor, New Mexico State Senator, Bernalillo County Commissioner, and was
featured on HGTV’s “Offbeat America” TV show.