What Can I Do To Speak Like A Pro

I have public speaking fears. There, I said it. All of you out there are probably saying "Me too!". In fact, it's been said that more people name public speaking as their number one fear. That's higher than death itself!

Let's ponder three things for how to say goodbye to this fear.

* What are the roots of our anxieties

* Why should we face our fears of public speaking

* How can we get past these anxieties

Why are we so fearful of speaking to groups

Our fear of public speaking is rooted in our fear of failure:

* No-one can be a brilliant speaker when they first try.

* Even when we are just starting out, we have to practice in front of a group.

* We all fear being seen by others as a failure.

Consider all of these points together: You can see why so many people fear public speaking.

So, what's the up-side?

Becoming a skilled public speaker is extremely rewarding. It can affect many aspects of our lives. For most of us, the greatest value is in our careers.

* Your competence in your primary field becomes clear when you can express yourself.

* Public speaking is a unique, and rare skill. It increases your value as an employee or as an entrepreneur.

* Speaking skills give you a voice in matters that affect your future.

* You can also take part in larger issues such as politics, or local community matters.

How can we get past these anxieties

You can get started with these steps below. There are a lot of other resources available as well:

* Start by finding a group and place where you can learn and practice.

* Join a group that is focused around helping people to become great speakers. Toastmasters is a great example. There can also be local college courses, or employee groups.

* Do your homework. You can find lot's of interesting sites online, or in your local library.

* There are several sites online, such as this one providing public speaking articles and other ideas.

* Get a mentor. Perhaps someone you already know and trust, or someone from the group that you join.

* Practice, practice, PRACTICE!

A safe place, good coaching, and lots of practice will quickly turn your fears into fun.

We discussed what makes public speaking so scary, what we can gain from it, and how to become a good speaker in a safe way.

I hope you take advantage of all the resources available to you and take the plunge. I know I've really enjoying it.

Tags: public speaking topics, public speaking jobs, public speaking tips, public speaking careers, high impact public speaking strategies, dynamic public speaking techniques