How do I get over my fear of public speaking

How do I get over my fear of public speaking How Do I Get Over My Fear Of Public Speaking?Posted September 10, 2013, by Career FAQs team I have a fear of public speaking and feel like its holding me back in my career. How can I get over it? Pat, 35, Account Manager This is one of the most common fears around and its great that you want to do something about it. There are many ways to improve your ability to speak in public and the first step is to confront your fear. The important thing is to use any opportunity to speak that arises rather than avoid it, and start with small steps, such as offering a toast at dinner or asking a question at a meeting. Here are some strategies to help you get started Join a public speaking group Enrolling in a public speaking group like Toastmasters can really help get the tanzveranstaltung rolling. Check out the Toastmasters website to learn mora and find your nearest location. The best thing about groups like this is that youll meet people who are in the same boat as you, who will understand and support you, as well as inspire you. Most importantly, there will be experienced public speakers on hand to guide and encourage you and give you constructive feedback. Prepare When it comes to public speaking, preparation is key. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will be. You need to know your material inside out, but avoid falling into the trap of trying to remember everything youre going to say word-for-word. Visual aids such as PowerPoint slides can be useful and help to divert the audiences focus away from you. Im all for using visual aids but be careful not to lose your connection with the audience the focus should still be on you. The ultimate goal of your preparation should be greater engagement with your audience. Practise Practise delivering your presentation in front of a mirror, practice with a friend who will give you honest feedback, and even go as far as recording yourself. You might be surprised to fin d that even though you feel incredibly nervous on the inside, your nerves are not nearly as visible as you think they are. You actually need to practice acting confident stick out your chest, put your shoulders back and stand tall. Just this small adjustment to your posture can make a world of difference to how you feel. The more you practice, the more you will improve and then the more confident you will feel. Chart your progress Your fear of public speaking will not disappear overnight. It will take time but its important to set yourself small goals and celebrate your achievements and progress along the way. Every time you make a presentation, reflect on what you could have done better, but also recognise what you did well and what you improved upon. Overcoming your fear of public speaking will help you in your career, enabling you to develop a vital employability skill that will help you on the road to professional success while also giving your confidence a massive boost so it s worth the effort. Public speaking is a skill that can be learned, and like any new skill it just takes practice and perseverance. Jo Messer is a Career Development Specialist who has many years of experience in supporting and guiding students and graduates of some of Australias most respected universities, as well as mature-aged clients, across all facets of their career. She is a Professional Member of CDAA and an active member of NAGCAS. Whether you have a specific question about how to achieve your career goal or something more general, Jo is available to provide you with up-to-date advice. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searcheseffective oral and written communication skillsattention to detail skillsdefine communication skills11 top tips for effective time managemen thow to demonstrate high literacy and numeracy skills CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire verbunden Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCareer FAQs teamRelated ArticlesBrowse moreStimulate your career juices at the Good Food & Wine ShowIf you are fascinated by all things gastronomic, then you cant miss this weekends Good Food & Wine Show at Sydneys Convention & Exhibition Centre.EducationHealthAustralias healthiest career pathWe break down the top-employing categories of health care and social assistance so you know where the jobs are.AU Labour LawsGraduatesAre You Being Conned? The Truth About InternshipsUnpaid internships are fast becoming commonplace, but should we really be so willing to offer our labour for free? Molly finds out how to identify if your internship has crossed the line from experience to exploitation.