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People experiencing anxiety during public speaking is a common occurrence but there are ways to overcome these fears.

Public Speaking Anxiety

Glossophobia, the fear of public speaking, is common but manageable. Evolutionarily, humans developed this fear to protect their status in social groups, where status meant access to resources and survival.

Today, this fear remains due to its deep-rooted nature. To manage glossophobia, experts suggest practice, preparation and reframing anxiety as excitement. Techniques like deep breathing and positive visualization can also help calm nerves. With effort and understanding, one can overcome the fear and become a confident speaker.

Overcoming Fears

Overcoming public speaking anxiety and fears requires two steps: identifying the source of anxiety when public speaking and what to do about it.

Sources

The goal of communication refers to the specific objectives or outcomes people aim to achieve through their communication, such as securing funding or gaining project approval. The anticipation of these outcomes can create nervousness about future results, contributing to speaking anxiety.

With this comes the desire for perfect communication. People may feel pressure to communicate flawlessly, fearing mistakes or imperfections in their speech, as well as the possibility of getting negative comments. This desire for perfection can lead to heightened anxiety during speaking engagements.

Strategies

One strategy is to focus on present-oriented actions. Instead of fixating on future outcomes or perfection, people can redirect their focus to actions they can take in the present moment. This may include engaging in physical movements or initiating small talk to stay grounded and focused on immediate tasks.

Another strategy is to prioritize connection over perfection. Rather than striving for flawless communication, people can prioritize establishing genuine connections with their audience. Emphasizing authenticity and meaningful interaction can alleviate the pressure of perfection and facilitate more natural and effective communication.

Lastly, consciously building confidence can help a person with public speaking anxiety. Regular practice and exposure to speaking situations can help people build confidence in their abilities to communicate effectively. As they become more familiar with speaking in public, they are likely to feel more self-assured and less anxious over time.