He was not terrified to learn about the information that he was to be the best man at his best friend wedding. They observe, He has always had a fear of public speaking. He had a speech class in high school it was very upsetting. He doesn't even remember his speech when it was his time to go up in front of the class, and everyone laughed at him. Since then, he has been incapable to talk in front of groups for more than three or four. Basically writing a best man speech would be hard for him. Reading one out loud would be impossible for him to happen anymore!
Actually he was so anxious, that he couldn't even begin on his best man toast. He looked at websites filled with best man speeches, but it was not only one popped out to him. Each best man speech he could find on the Internet seemed depressingly unpleasant to him. These are two-faced, unclear, and boring which was not surprising since they are meant to be used by any person who wanted them. He wanted to have the best man speech ever, but he did not know how to go about writing one.
Hence he sat down, took a deep breath, and started to work writing his speech. He knew that he would create the most perfect one which amusing best man speech ever in his life, or he would not even leave that chair. It took him about eight hours, but at last he was done. He revise and re revised that best man speech until his head was spinning from making the most part of it, and finally he made it perfect. Now the only problem of him is how to read it in front of the crowd!
When the time came on how to read his speech, he decided to just go in their unsighted. After all, no matter how much he practiced, it would not make him at ease. He figured out that if he immediately went in there with a head full of steam, He would be capable to give his greatest man toast and have it all over with before he even noticed. It turns out that he was right doing it! Greatly deal to his surprise, that best man speech went perfectly. He had no problem at all giving it, and everyone thought that some of the jokes that he cracked were absolutely amusing. He supposes that part of the reason was that it's such a necessary moment. He knew that he had to get it right, and so he did.
Fears Of Public Speaking
The fear of public speaking is common to most people around the world. It is very often one of the top three fears of people in surveys. However, stage fright must be learned because people have only two natural fears at birth — the fear of falling and fear of loud noise. As stage fright has been learned it is impossible to control and overcome the anxiety.
The common fears associated with public speaking are
- Fear of the unknown - new situations can be frightening. Remember the first time you were asked on a date or asked for one, or when you first began to drive.
- Fear of rejection - the feeling that the speech may be either criticised behind your back or openly.
- Fear of failure or making a mistake - you may forget part of your speech or mispronounce a word etc
Now we know what the fears are and that they were learned, how do you control them? Here are 8 techniques to use overcoming the anxiety;
1. Emerson's quote "Do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain" is true. George Bernard Shaw suffered from stage fright and overcame his fear by speaking at every opportunity. Make many short speeches as this is far more helpful in overcoming fear than delivering only a few long ones.
2. Have an attitude that, "I'm giving them my best. I hope that's good enough. At this point I couldn't do better. And if someone is unhappy with my speech, so what? Without worrying a second about any speech I've already delivered I'm going to put all my energy into the next speech."
3. Mentally play down the importance of his speech. Who is going to remember it a hundred years later anyway?
4. Learn to grin at an audience and go right on speaking when you make a mistake, people will forget the mistake and remember the grin. A mistake always looks much bigger in the mind of the person who made it than in anyone else's thinking because he is so near it. Other people are so busy thinking about themselves (and their own mistakes) they won't remember someone else's error long.
5. Talk about something you really know. Something you know from your heart not through memorisation
6. Practice this speech drill either on your own or with someone - Choose a favourite hobby (your most active one.) Tell and show an imaginary audience how to take part in it. Do this with much pep. Put zip, spirit, and sparkle into your tones. Let your feelings show in your face, eyes and body. Overdo it! Feel that people must share your hobby, not tomorrow or next week, but as you talk about it. Do this again and again.
7. Properly prepare and practice your speech - know your subject intimately and practice as often as you can in front of the mirror, in front of friends. If possible run through the speech at the location where you are to give the speech.
8. Visualization. Visualize delivering your speech successfully as often as possible with intensity and passion.
Public speaking anxiety is something that can be overcome by all. It is a skill that is in the reach of anyone. Through a good attitude, practice and preparation it is possible for all to become proficient speakers
Both Kris Reyes & Edward Hope are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Kris Reyes has sinced written about articles on various topics from Abdominal, Babies and Home Improvement. CrizzaOvercoming . Kris Reyes's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
Edward Hope has sinced written about articles on various topics from Public Speaking, Public Speaking and Guide Guitar. Edward Hope is editor and publisher of the recently released ebook "The Art of Great Conversation." To claim your free preview visit
