Fix Your Fear of Public Speaking

How to fix an intense fear of public speaking? 

Well, a question came in about how I actually addressed that public speaking fear at the very, very beginning. I hated being in front of people. I was an art kid that was in the corner not talking to people, and not only that, I actually turn bright red. I'll show you a picture, and it looks like I break out in hives. 

So, actually had two people this weekend be like, "What's wrong with you?" as we're chatting, and it was just because I was hot and there's hive going up my face. It's fine, it's normal, but when you get in front of a big audience of people, people were very concerned. So, the look of concern on an audience's face when I started working at Toast Masters or doing that was not fun. They told me to wear turtlenecks and long sleeves because it actually goes down my arm also. Kind of an intense problem, just so you know, very difficult. 

And I went, you know what, I'm just going to keep doing it in small groups over and over and over again and tell people in advance, "Hey, I'm going to turn bright red." Try to make a little joke out of it because it was awkward and weird. And I just kept going to Toast Masters. We would do these one minute table talks. I would go ahead, turn bright red and be like, "I'm still alive, okay, I'm still alive." Right? I can't help it. There's nothing I can absolutely do with it. 

And, yes, there might be looks of concern on their faces, but the only thing I could do was keep going back. As long as you keep doing it. After 50 different speeches, I was like, "Hmm, I'm more comfortable. Even if the audience isn't always more comfortable, at least I am." And doing it over and over and over again. And that's what makes your comfort zone grow. And when your comfort zone grows you can do more without the intense fear from before of what other people will think or anything like that. So, now I'm like, "Oh yeah, that's doing it again. Yeah, no, I don't have hives, it's fine. Like... I'm over it." 

Anyway, hopefully, that helps you too and you don't turn bright red like I do. 

Have an amazing day.
 

Summary

Title

Fix Your Fear of Public Speaking

Description

Do you have an intense fear of public speaking? Did you know 74% of people suffer from speech anxiety also known as Glossophobia? Here's how I fixed my intense fear of public speaking. (and you get to see how it looks like I break out in hives every time I speak - it's awesome! ;) ;)

Tags: how to manage anxiety, overcoming fear, Public Speaker

Categories: Daily Routine, Personal Development, Speaking, Stress

Hi I’m Jaime. Each and every week I bring you the top business advice from the people who know best.

Learn More