It's been said that the only thing scarier than death is speaking in public. But it doesn't have to be that way. This book is designed to give you the basic information needed so that you will feel more confident and comfortable when speaking in public. The goal of this book is to help you overcome your fear by first learning how to relax, prepare, and practice.



You've probably heard it many, many times before, but the suggestion that you should picture the audience naked does actually have some value. You're standing vulnerable before them?feeling naked, in a way'so imagining them literally naked can make things feel a little more equal. True confidence, however, comes not from how you picture them but from how much you believe in yourself, what you have to say, and how you present it.

To get you started on the right track, the next several pages present some exercises and techniques to help you relax, prepare, and practice.

Relaxation will help you eliminate negative energy and open the door to positive visualization and positive energy. Instead of harboring your stress, your mind and body will focus on the task at hand - communicating.

Preparation is the cornerstone to speaking success. Researching, planning, and organizing will make your job that much easier. You will have more confidence if you are properly prepared to speak.

Practice may not make you perfect, but it will help you eliminate mistakes and familiarize yourself with the material. It will also help you hone your communication skills. Practice also provides a time to experiment.

Of course it won't come all together with one session in front of the mirror, but in time, using some or all of the techniques listed, you can start the process that will improve your public speaking abilities.

The type of speaking you are preparing to do is somewhat irrelevant at the initial practice stage. Later you will refine your skills with more specific types of speaking engagements in mind. For now, you just want to get comfortable with the general idea of speaking in front of other people?being seen, being heard, and connecting with your audience.

AN IMPORTANT STEP

First of all, you need to tell yourself, ?There is no reason to be afraid of speaking in public!?

People speak in public every day'in front of business colleagues, friends, family members and large audiences of strangers. They do it, they survive, and more often than not they feel very good about having spoken.

WHERE TO START

A quiet, relaxing place, with minimal distractions, will allow you to focus on the initial relaxation and breathing exercises. It will also allow you to close your eyes and visualize, as well as to gather your thoughts as you structure and build your presentation.

After you have been practicing for a while, it is beneficial to find a place where you can set up a video camera to tape yourself. Later, shift to a noisier place, since there are usually distractions around you when you speak in a public setting. Finally, look for someplace that resembles the setting in which you will be speaking.

A FEW THINGS TO ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND

As you set off on the road to more comfortable, polished public speaking, you should take with you ten tidbits of advice that will serve you well:

If you're worried about speaking in public, know that you're not alone.

You don't appear as nervous as you think you do?most people can't even tell.

The audience is usually on your side. They want you to succeed.

It's okay to express vulnerability'in fact, it's typically well received.

You don't have to be perfect. If you mess up or make a mistake, just keep on going.

Set time aside to prepare.

Set time aside to practice.

Don't forget to breathe when you speak.

Remember to make eye contact with your audience.

Try to have fun!

Remember, most people are scared when it comes to public speaking. With that in mind, try to muster up all of your nervous energy and just do it. Once you step away from the microphone and one person walks up to you afterward and tells you that he or she benefited from what you had to say, you'll no longer feel like a scaredy cat?you'll feel like a great speaker.