Reducing the Fear of Speaking: Earn Their Interest, Speak Your Truth

[Joywtome231]

I recently rewatched “The Sixth Sense”, M. Night Shyamalan’s film about dead people. Or is it? Eerily moving, well-acted and beautifully shot in revealing interior sets and on the streets of Philadelphia, this perfectly constructed, 1997 movie is also about communication based on confidence, truth and trust.

Early in the film, we learn that Cole, Osment’s character, routinely hears voices and sees visions of departed souls. His terror is not unlike what some of my clients experience when anticipating and then giving a speech. I know it may sound sri lanka phone number resource funny, but I’m actually not kidding. Remember Jerry Seinfeld’s comment about speaking at a funeral? He said most people have such fear of public speaking, that when it comes to giving a eulogy, many would actually prefer to “be in the box”.

So, what can you do to reduce your fear and increase your effectiveness when speaking?
The good news is you can begin today to take 4 small steps to become more confident and competent as a speaker.



1) Find Your Voice
Practice helps immeasurably. Begin with situations that are only moderately uncomfortable and commit to speaking up. Opportunities to practice can range from something as simple as yelling down the block to say hello to a friend, to chatting with a colleague at a social or networking event, to offering comments, questions or ideas during a class or a meeting at work. If you commit to speaking up at different events, you will soon become more comfortable with speaking in other situations, too. Why not begin today?