YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY NERVOUS SPEAKER IN THE WORLD
There you are reading this and thinking “I get so nervous if anyone asks me to speak in public.”
Here is the good news it is perfectly natural to be nervous, to get a little stressed, to worry about making a speech.
Why? Simple, it’s because of fear of the unknown. What will their reaction be to me? Am I good enough? Why me?
These are all questions that have been asked time and again in the past and will be asked again today and tomorrow. It’s perfectly NORMAL!
DISMISS THE NEGATIVITY
It is often said that most people would rather cut off their right arm instead of speaking in front of a group of people. Sadly, it is one of life’s greatest unfounded fears.
Think about it for a moment. What is the worst that can happen?
These are your fears:
- they will laugh at you
- they might boo your speech
- people will talk negatively about you
In reality that’s about as bad as it can get but it WON’T HAPPEN so why worry?
Most people are civilised / not neanderthals.
Remember, “worry is interest paid on a debt not yet due.” so don’t worry.
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN
So there you are worried about what they may think and dwelling completely on the negativity. Full stop.
However, let’s look at it from the other side of the coin:
What’s the best that can happen – nobody ever thinks about that!
- Standing ovation
- New respect
- People pat you on the back and shake your hand
- You surprise them because they wouldn’t do it
- They laugh at your jokes and stories
- The speech is a huge success
In reality if you are nervous about giving a speech please think about BOTH sides of the coin.
People will respect your efforts and think of you in a positive way – and see a side of you that they have never seen before!
The only way to find out how is to do your homework, practice your speech, stand up tall and confident, look them in the eye and DO IT!
Good luck.