Here's something you already know about public speaking.
It can cause alot of fear and anxiety.
In fact, I've known people who get so nervous at the thought of speaking in public, they literally have an anxiety attack.
This leads us to the next logical question...
Does it really have to be this bad?
I think you know the answer.
In fact, you've probably even noticed certain people actually enjoy the process of speaking in public. Maybe you're even one of them. If not, I have good news for you. Public speaking needn't be the stressful task it's made out to be.
There are certain key principles you can use to not only alleviate your speaking anxiety, but also learn to like speaking in public. Allow me to share one of these "secrets" with you right now.
Recently, I read one of the most groundbreaking books I've ever laid my hands on.
It's called "What to Say When you Talk to Yourself" by Shad Helmstetter.
The book teaches you a unique approach to replacing the negative thoughts that "pop" into your head into more "positive" and empowering ones. The process is stunningly brilliant yet so simple at the same time.
What does this have to do with public speaking?
Let me explain.
Each of us has an image of ourselves when it comes to speaking.
This image includes all the things people have told us about ourselves along with our past experiences in speaking. If we've been told we are "good" presenters, or if we've had "positive" speaking experiences in the past, we're likely to repeat the behaviors that produced those experiences - resulting in more of the same.
On the flip-side, many of us have had "negative" experiences when presenting. Perhaps we stuttered during a speech or couldn't remember our lines. This image is stored in our brains. The brain will work hard to produce the same result for us again and again unless we change it.
You see, the brain does not care if something we experience is "positive" or "negative." It only acts on the information its' given. If it's given positive information, it produces positive results. The inverse is also true.
The solution?....
Change the messages you're feeding yourself on a regular basis.
For example, many of us are feeding our brains the message "I get so nervous when speaking in front of a group."
With that type of message what do you think is going to happen?
You guessed it. Your subconscious will actually work hard to produce that outcome for you. Again, it only receives instructions. It does not judge good or bad, right or wrong.
However....
What if instead you started telling yourself "I feel so relaxed and calm in front of a group."
At first, the brain might reject the thought. Yet, with a little persistence it will accept it as truth and begin going to work to make it a reality. Your behaviors will start to become congruent with the thought process.
Isn't that amazing?
It's super easy to do as well. You can begin right now. When negative thoughts "pop" into your head throughout the day, simply catch them in your mind and turn them around into a more positive statement.
If this seems like an odd way to overcome public speaking fear, you may want to think about expanding your horizons. Oftentimes, it's creative ideas such as the one above that separate the successful from the mediocre.
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