You're struggling with public speaking. How can you become a confident mid-career professional speaker?

If you can reflect on what you fear & why, you can prepare a strategy to overcome it. If you fear drawing a blank, know what you're going to do when it happens. Some people take a sip of water to regain composure; others use a verbal stall technique or ask the audience a question. Whatever your fear is, find ways to lower the stakes in your mind. Focus on staying in the moment and enjoying it. Avoid rushing. Concentrate on what you want to get across more than word choice. Find something that calms you (a small token you can keep in your hand) or something that helps you burn nervous energy. Tell yourself that you don't have to be perfect to be effective. Your audience only knows what you have said, not what you planned to say.

As one who was deathly afraid of public speaking in my youth, I can fully attest to the power of fear. Today, while I do not have a fear per se, I absolutely get anxious before I speak. I know this is a cliche but the only thing you need to fear is fear itself. What I mean by that is the fear you have of public speaking not the actual speaking. Assuming you know the topic at hand well, you sure should at this point - the idea is to look at this as no different than talking with your friends and family about this very topic. Trust me, if I can do it, ANYONE can.

The first time I experienced speaking fear, I was just 17. My teacher told me then that the only thing I should be afraid of is the day I stop being afraid about speaking. Her point was: the fear shows that we care. It is normal to be nervous, but there is a process to manage and secure the few seconds before you speak. Aim to understand that fear through 3 angles: - Internal: Elements that pull you from within-from initial self-doubt to even tough prior experiences - External: Elements that draw you away from the stage, often out of our control (e.g., audience judgment) - Environmental: Elements that need to be managed (e.g., stakes, logistics) Fear is a driver for our expectations; the aim is not to eliminate but to reclaim control!

Understanding the root of public speaking anxiety is crucial for overcoming it. Often, this fear arises from a lack of confidence or past negative experiences. Recognize that nervousness is a natural response but doesn’t have to dominate you. Acknowledging your fear allows you to tackle it constructively. Even experienced speakers feel anxious, but they manage and channel that energy into their presentations effectively. Embrace your nervousness as a tool for improvement, not an obstacle.

Acknowledge that it's normal to feel nervous. Often, understanding that fear is a common part of public speaking can help diminish its power. Use techniques like deep breathing and visualization to manage anxiety before stepping onto the stage.

Overcoming public speaking anxiety requires a strategic approach. Begin by transforming your mindset from fear to excitement. Focus on sharing valuable insights rather than personal performance. Rigorous preparation is key: know your content inside out, anticipate questions, and practice your delivery. Visualize success and embrace opportunities to speak publicly. Remember, every speech is a chance to refine your skills. With time and dedication, you'll transform from a nervous speaker to a confident communicator.

Regular practice of a presentation may not always be possible. Here are a few things you can do to counter this on an everyday basis: 1. Volunteer to plan meetups with friends/cousins/colleagues. More interaction ➡️ More practice ➡️ Improved confidence 2. Take an initiative to regulate team discussions and moderate the same. This helps you understand varied opinions and express your thoughts confidently 3. Have at least one person in your network with whom you can have an open conversation about a topic of interest (like love or friendship) on a weekly basis.

Like any skill, public speaking improves with practice. Start by speaking in smaller, less intimidating settings and gradually move to larger audiences. Recording your practice sessions can help you review and refine your delivery.

Regular practice is essential for honing public speaking skills. Begin in a low-pressure setting, like practicing in front of a mirror or recording yourself, to get comfortable with your material. As you gain confidence, present to friends or colleagues. This gradual exposure helps refine your delivery and reduce anxiety. The more you practice, the more natural and confident you'll become, transforming your public speaking from a daunting task into a powerful skill.

You gotta practice in the exact setting you'll be presenting in. So it could be virtually in your room. Or it could be on a stage. Or in a meeting room. But you gotta practice in those exact settings!

Constructive feedback is crucial. After presentations, ask for specific feedback from colleagues or mentors. They can provide insights on areas for improvement and what’s working well.

Seeking feedback is crucial for growth as a speaker. After practice sessions, ask trusted peers or mentors for constructive criticism. Their insights on your delivery, content, and body language can reveal areas for improvement you might miss. Embrace their suggestions to enhance your speaking skills. Remember, feedback highlights opportunities to excel, not flaws. Use it to refine and perfect your abilities, transforming every speaking opportunity into a chance for excellence.

Seu primeiro público são as pessoas a sua volta, peça opiniões sinceras sobre a sua forma de comunicação e trabalhe de maneira racional todas as críticas.

Absolutely, feedback is the cornerstone of growth for any speaker. It’s like having a seasoned navigator guiding you through uncharted waters. Constructive criticism, when embraced with humility, can illuminate blind spots and reveal untapped potential. But let's delve deeper. It's not just about the content or delivery; it's also about the impact you create. Did your audience connect with your message? Did they feel inspired, informed, or entertained? This qualitative feedback is equally valuable. Remember, criticism is subjective. Not every suggestion will resonate with you. Discern what aligns with your goals and speaking style. And don’t forget to celebrate small wins! Each piece of feedback brings you closer to mastering your craft.

Know your material inside and out. When you’re deeply familiar with your content, you’re less likely to be thrown off by unexpected questions or technical issues. It also helps to anticipate and prepare for potential questions or challenges.

Preparing discussion points in advance and unpacking all the information required for the presentation will give you the confidence to deliver the presentation well. Understanding the topic well makes it easier for one to communicate with the audience.

Interaction keeps your audience interested. Use questions, anecdotes, and relatable examples to make your points more engaging. Pay attention to your audience's reactions and adjust your delivery to maintain their interest.

Being authentic and sharing personal experiences will help your audience relate to you, actively listen and engage better. This is also about being your truself rather imitating and trying to be some famous speaker or leader. Avoid the speaker disguise syndrome.

Beyond fear, practice and feedback, have a Plan or Method for your public speaking. 1. Know & be able to STATE YOUR MAIN IN 1 SENTENCE at the outset of your speaking or presentation -- so everyone is clear of your Main Message and where you are taking them. 2. Physically or mentally SCRIPT YOUR OPENING SENTENCE/S -- so you are clear and confident of the words to say. This can incorporate your Main Point. 3. Back up your Main Point with up to 3 SUPPORTING SUB-POINTS. 4. Make an impact in terms of enhancing clarity and persuasiveness by ILLUSTRATING your Main and/or Sub-Point/s WITH EXAMPLES OR STORIES. 5. START APPLYING this for both prepared presentations you are giving or speaking up on a key matter in a meeting.

I personally had a severe anxiey issue in public speaking and presentation! I had to actually find the ways to lower the anxiety level. Hence, I enrolled to 1:1 professional coaching session to be well prepared and did regularly althogh I had no public speaking or presentation to conduct! Here are things I learnt: 1. Try to visit the presentation venue a day or few days before hence you have no hiccups or suprises 2. We are all human, we can clearly make mistakes! Accept it 3. Try to expose to the public speaking with small peers first 4. Find your style to be comfortable in such situation - like do you prefer to use a podium or walk around during your speech? 5. Do not just time on the slide, practice*100 times!

Existem várias possibilidades de aperfeiçoar a comunicação,cursos além da prática de leitura que ajuda a enriquecer seu vocabulário e também uma consulta com profissional fonoaudiólogo que pode ajudar a verificar possíveis falhas na voz.