... not when employing simple memory techniques
The fear of public speaking, often referred to as glossophobia, is a common and intense fear that many people experience. It's often cited as one of the most common fears and the idea that it's even more frightening than death no doubt an exaggeration but one meant to highlight the intensity of this fear.
Several factors can contribute to the fear of getting up on stage to speak:
Fear of judgment: One of the primary reasons people fear public speaking is the fear of being judged or criticized by others. When you're on stage or in front of an audience, you might feel that all eyes are on you, and the thought of making a mistake or being perceived negatively can be overwhelming.
Performance anxiety: Public speaking often involves a performance aspect; like any performance, there's a risk of failure of not meeting audience expectations. This can lead to significant anxiety.
Loss of control: Speaking in public can feel like a loss of control, being exposed and may feel vulnerable to unexpected challenges like technical issues, questions from the audience, or own nervousness.
Fear of forgetting: A common fear is forgetting what you wanted to say. The anxiety of going blank on stage can be paralyzing. The GOOD NEWS here is that the use of simple memory techniques can indeed help alleviate most of the fears associated with public speaking:
Mind mapping: Create a visual representation of your speech or presentation through mind mapping can help you organize your thoughts and remember all the key points you want to cover.
Key List & Chunking: Breaking your speech into smaller, manageable chunks or sections and in order makes it easier to remember and present each part of your speech, removing the fear of going blank.
Visualization: Visualize yourself giving the speech successfully. This technique can reduce anxiety and build your confidence.
Practice and repetition: The more you practice, the more natural, relaxed and confident you become and will be seen. Rehearse your speech multiple times to reinforce your memory of the content.
Use notes strategically: While it's often better not to rely too heavily on notes, having cue cards or a basic outline can provide a safety net if you forget something... we help you get rid of those cards!
Engage with your audience: Interacting with your audience can help reduce the fear of judgment. When you see friendly faces and positive reactions, it can boost your confidence.
Slow down: It's so tempting to rush ahead so you can get off that stage; but get past that and start to speak slowly; this allows you time to think as you speak, reducing the chances of going blank.
Control your breathing: Deep, controlled breathing can help manage anxiety and ensure your brain gets the oxygen it needs to function at its best.
It's important to note that public speaking anxiety is common, and many people experience it to varying degrees. It can be managed and even overcome with practice and the use of memory techniques. The more you expose yourself to public speaking and employ these techniques, the more confident and comfortable you'll become on stage. On a personal note, I often like to start with, “My mind’s a complete blank!” and then pause to see the reactions; naturally I follow up, “When you’re done training here, this is the one thing you will likely never say or experience again!”
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