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PrintPublic Speaking Fears
So what exactly are people afraid of when it comes to public speaking?
Here’s a list of the things we hear most often:
- 1) ‘Drying up' or not being able to speak.
- 2) Forgetting what you are talking about your mind going blank.
- 3) Having the heckler from Hell.
- 4) Having someone in the audience who knows more than you do.
- 5) People noticing that you are nervous.
- 6) Having to run screaming from the room.
- 7) The presentation being so awful and embarrassing that your social/career relationships are forever ruined.
- 8) The impossible to answer ‘question from Hell'
- 9) The audience talking over you or walking out
- 10) Dying on stage (OK, so we made this one up to make it up to 10 :-)
What to Do About a Fear of Public Speaking
Firstly, let’s accept that we need fear. Without the ability to
become very fearful no human beings would be here today - our
ancestors relied on fear to survive bigger, stronger and faster
predators.
When we become highly fearful, the unconscious mind takes over
and we become primarily set up for physical action. In order to
survive a physical threat we respond automatically for the sake
a quick reaction. In certain situations, this can be a life-saver.
During this 'fight or flight' response, breathing speeds up in
preparation for physical exertion, we may sweat to cool the body,
or feel as if we ‘can’t think' Survival in very primitive conditions
is primarily about action rather than thinking.
Next, Public Speaking Anxiety
