You get "the shakes" when you stand to speak to an audience. Practically everybody does. Maybe you even hope nobody will show up!
EVEN PROFESSIONAL SPEAKERS GET NERVOUS
You may be surprised to know that even professional speakers get nervous. Even after twenty years of giving keynote speeches and directing seminars, I experience the same symptoms you do:
--shaky hands
--sudden memory loss
--excessive perspiration
--quivering voice
--dry mouth
and so much more.
So every speaker's goals must include steps for controlling stage fright.
TERRY BROCK'S APPROACH WILL HELP YOU
With me here is my mentor and friend, globally respected professional speaker Terry Brock, who has wowed audiences in thirty-five countries:
Consider Terry's advice about handling stage fright successfully:
“Focus on the audience. This is the most important step."
Terry explained: "If I focus on them and their needs, I do much better. If I think about myself I don’t do as well.”
Terry’s advice is absolutely on target. Thinking mostly about yourself in the speaking situation means that every potential distraction will lower your confidence level. When an audience member yawns or checks her watch, you’ll assume you are failing to connect with everybody.
Yet focusing on the audience allows you to put distractions in proper perspective. A couple of people fidgeted—so what? You’ll recapture their attention as you speak passionately about your topic, which totally consumes you from your first sentence onward.
FIRST IN A SERIES
This post is the first in a series of recommendations I will give you about stage fright. I am doing this because I want you to speak with what I call poise, power, and persuasion.
STAGE FRIGHT BOOK
Because stage fright keeps many professionals from reaching their potential, recently I wrote this book:
“25 Ways to Control Your Stage Fright–and Become a Highly Confident Speaker!”
Available in Kindle and paperback editions. Here’s the Amazon page:
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TIP FOR STAGE FRIGHT CONTROL?
Possibly you have a strategy that helps you control your stage fright. If so, please tell us about that in a reply.
UPVOTE AND RESTEEM
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Auditorium picture came from Pixabay.