Get Rid of Your Glossophobia

Glossophobia is the #1 fear is in North America.  The second greatest fear is death.

You guessed it.  Glossophobia is the fear of speaking in public; it also includes the fear of speaking in general.

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I have spoken competitively since I was 16.  I have been a professional speaker since my early 20s. But that doesn't mean I still don't get nervous before I present.  For me, the nervous energy is now a good thing.  The important thing to remember about your nerves is...

​Be like a duck.  On the surface appear calm and collected.  And underneath, paddle like heck!

​Early in my competitive speaking career, I had my moments. In high school, I won several competitions to represent my district in the state speaking competition.  That was a big accomplishment.  I got that far, then stood in front of a room staring straight ahead with no words coming out of my mouth. Embarrassing...humiliating...paralyzing.

Being able to stand in front a group of people (from 2 to 2,000) with confidence is hard for most people.  But you CAN overcome it.  And you will be better for it.  Even if you have to "fake it till you make it", the internal confidence you build is very important personally and professionally.

Professionally, it builds your credibility, and you will be more confident in meetings and one-on-one meetings.  Look them in the eye and speak with confidence.

Here are a few of my ​tips to help you reduce your glossophobia:

• Talk about what you know.  You are the expert.  Own it.
• Start with small groups, like a presentation at your house of worship or a club.  
  • I personally find speaking in front of strangers is easier than speaking in front of people I know.  If you think that might be the case for you, try a different chapter of your club or sister house of worship.
• Look at their foreheads.  Until you are comfortable with eye contact, just look at the foreheads in your audience.  It gives the impression of eye contact, but isn't as intimate and, therefore, less cause for nerves.
• Practice.  You can never practice too much.  Especially in the beginning, you need to know your speech "in your sleep".  If you know every word, it will give you confidence.  And, if the nerves hit, you can still do the speech "in your sleep".
• Involve the audience.  If your nerves are getting the best of you, deflect some attention off you and onto the audience.  This gives you a chance to take a breath and regroup.
  • Get everyone to stand up and stretch.  "I am approaching a key point here, so let's all stand up and get that blood flowing.  Shake it out. OK, next let's get back to it."
  • Ask a question that requires a show of hands.
  • Incorporate the name of someone you met in the audience or from a name tag you can see.  For example, "Let's say Joan over here is about to buy a new car..."  This gets them looking at Joan, not you, AND builds your credibility with the audience because you took the time to know who they are.
• Join a supportive development group, like Toastmasters.  Toastmasters will make you talk...and love you through it.  Warning, Toastmasters applauds at everything.  Toastmasters includes speakers of all levels and is very affordable.  My Toastmasters Club meets twice a month and costs $50 every six months.

​The internet offers A LOT of great articles about overcoming your glossophobia.  Check out this article with other wonderful tips.

You don't have to become a professional public speaker.  The ability to speak comfortably in front of groups is enough to boost your confidence and success light years ahead.  As a for the nerves, it's OK if you still have them.  Just remember, the duck!