Stage fright is good and it makes you look better too!
Before learning to speak in public, it is important to be prepared to speak in public. Stage fright is a phenomenon that you must learn to control if you want to be good at public speaking. Actually, stage fright isn’t the most accurate term for the nervousness that occurs when considering a speaking engagement. In fact, most of the fear occurs before you go on stage. Once you’re there, it usually goes away. Try to think about stage fright in a positive way. Fear is your friend. He makes your reflexes sharper. Boost your energy, add sparkle to your eyes and color to your cheeks. When you are nervous about speaking, you are more aware of your posture and breathing. With all those good side effects, you will actually look healthier and more physically attractive.
When performing publicly, many of the world’s top performers get stage fright, so you’re in good company. Stage fright can come and go or lessen, but it usually doesn’t go away permanently. You should focus on getting the feeling out in the open, in perspective, and under control.
Remember No one has ever died of stage fright or public speaking. But according to polls, many people would rather die than speak in public. If that’s the case for you, try some of the strategies in this section to help you control yourself. Realize that you may never get over stage fright, but you can learn to control it and use it to your advantage in your public speaking efforts.
Symptoms of stage fright
* Dry mouth.
* Tight throat.
* Sweaty hands.
* Cold hands.
* Tingling hands.
* Give me a hand (Oops, I couldn’t resist).
* Nausea.
* Fast pulse.
* Shaky knees.
* trembling lips
Any unusual external or internal feeling or manifestation of a feeling that occurs before or during the beginning of a public speaking engagement (Wow! What a dry bite!).
Here are some easy-to-implement strategies to reduce your stage fright.
Not everyone reacts the same and there is no universal solution. Don’t try to use all these fixes at once. Choose items from this list and try them out until you find the right combination for you.
Visualization strategies that can be used at any time
* Focus on how good you are at public speaking.
* Imagine you are just chatting with a group of friends.
* Close your eyes and imagine the audience listening, laughing and clapping.
* Remember happy moments from your past.
*Think about your love and desire to help the audience.
* Image of the audience in underwear.
Pre-Program Strategies
* Be extremely well prepared.
* Join or start a Toastmasters club for more practice.
* Get individual or group training in public speaking.
* Listen to music.
* Read a poem.
* Anticipate difficult and easy questions.
* Organize your notes to speak.
* Absolutely memorize your opening statement so you can recite it on autopilot if needed.
* Practice practice practice. Especially practice snippets so you can spit out a few minutes of your show no matter how nervous you are.
* Get fit. I don’t know why it helps stage fright, but it does.
Strategies just before the show Remember Stage fright usually goes away after you start. The difficult moment is before starting.
* Be in the room at least an hour early if possible to triple check the PA system and everything else on your checklist. You can also chat with participants who arrive early.
* Observe and think about things around you.
* Focus on looking for current and immediate things happening at the event that you can mention during your speech (especially at the opening).
* Get into conversation with people close to you. Be very attentive to what they are saying.
* Yawn to relax the throat.
*Scribble.
* Draw sketches of a new car you would like to have.
* Look at your notes.
* Put pictures of your children/grandchildren, dog, etc., in your notes.
* Create a buffer of time in the day so you’re not in a hurry, but not too long either. You don’t want to have extra time to worry.
* If your legs are shaking, lean on a table, sit or move your legs.
* Take a brisk walk.
* Take quick sips of warm water.
* Double check your A/V equipment, including PA system, projectors, etc.
* Do not drink alcohol or caffeinated coffee or tea.
* Focus on your ideas to speak.
* Hide voice memos around the stage area so you know you have a backup if it goes blank.
* Focus on your audience.
* Listen to music.
* Read a poem.
* Do isometric exercises that tighten and loosen muscles.
* Shake hands and smile at attendees before the program.
* Say something to someone to make sure your voice is ready.
* Go to a private place and warm up your voice, muscles, etc.
* Use eye contact.
* Go to a mirror and see how you look.
* Breathe deeply, evenly, and slowly for several minutes.
* Don’t eat if you don’t want to and never take tranquilizers or other similar drugs. You may think you’ll do better, but you’ll probably do worse and you won’t know it.
Strategies when the program begins
* If legs shake, lean on lectern/table or switch legs or move
* Try not to hold the microphone with your hand in the first minute.
* Do not hold notes. The public can see them tremble. Use three by five cards instead.
* Take quick sips of warm water.
* Use eye contact. It will make you feel less isolated.
* See the friendliest faces in the audience.
* Jokes about your nervousness. What is the right wine to accompany nails?
Remember that nervousness doesn’t show a tenth of what it feels like. Before each speaking engagement, make a short list of items you think will make you feel better. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations. You never know which ones will work best until you try. Rewrite them on a separate sheet of paper and keep it with you at all times so you can quickly refer to it when the need arises.
When you speak in public, use these steps to control stage fright so it doesn’t control you.