Public speaking phobia - or glossophobia as it is technically known - is no joke.
For many people, there's nothing more frightening or nerve-wracking than having to speak in public. They would rather bury themselves alive than be asked to give a speech.
According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, a phobia is an exaggerated, usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects or events.
Therefore a public speaking phobia is a fear of speaking before an audience, also known as stage fright. One way of overcoming stage fright is to understand the origins of the doubt. Let's look at some of the common underlying causes.
We seek people, places, and situations that give us a sense of wellbeing and protection.
Standing before an audience often arouses a sense of anxiety and insecurity. In other words, public speaking sometimes generates an illogical fear. Our primal instincts for dealing with fearful situations are two: fight or flight.
You can either stay to defend yourself or run fast and far. Both situations induce specific effects in your body - the adrenaline rush, quickened heartbeat, sweating, shallow breathing, stiff muscles, and flushed skin, which prepares you to fight or run a mile.
It could have happened to you, or you could have observed it happening to somebody else.
That unwelcome memory is so ingrained in your mind that it distorts your perception of public speaking to a thing of dread and fear.
You fear making a fool of yourself, of being judged harshly, of being humiliated, of failing at your speech objectives, and so on. All of these eat away at your confidence level, which is a crucial component for good public speaking.
Perhaps you've watched elegant speakers and feel that you should be able to communicate precisely to that style and standard.
Public speaking is not about imitating another person, but about nurturing your particular brand of speaking skills. You can learn from the top speakers, but don't try to BE like them.
Be yourself.
This irrational fear stems from assuming that people listening will judge you harshly.
In most cases, the audience wants you to speak well because they too will enjoy listening to you. An exception would be when discussing an unfavorable topic or facing an overtly hostile group. But even in such circumstances, there are skills you can learn for speaking under unwelcoming conditions.
You may be nervous because you know you are unprepared for the 'limelight.' You may not yet have learned how to control your nerves and build up your confidence. Or you have not yet developed techniques that enhance your speaking abilities.
There are lots of ways to learn to either cope with or master these common fears.
Gaining the confidence needed to deliver a speech will require time and effort on your part. But like all things you value, you must be willing to work towards speaking success.
Gradually expose yourself to speaking in public: If your anxiety is severe, it may be helpful to start with more minor, less intimidating speaking situations and gradually work up to larger ones.
Here are a few strategies that may help a student overcome glossophobia:
Remember that overcoming glossophobia is a process, and it may take time. Don't be too hard on yourself, and try to focus on your progress.
A public speaking phobia is not a terminal illness from which you cannot recover, even though you may feel it is! It's just a temporary, illogical state of mind that you can quickly fix, allowing you to enjoy speaking to an audience and giving you confidence that will open new doors.
Free email delivery
We are offering you a FREE SpeakFlight Informative Speaking Preparation Checklist. This valuable resource is packed with step-by-step guidance to help you create compelling, memorable, and effective informative speeches.
两个鬼故事起个好的微信名字大全虎年李姓宝宝起名花言巧语的意思电脑老是自动重启利字公司起名央视直播在线观看给自己起个艺名女医生的秘密崔字取名起名大全男孩名字大全给姓贾的女儿起名家纺店起名字好梦见小老虎谢姓起名男孩名字大全观书有感其一其二两首诗重生之康熙荣妃男生起名李欧美大胆人体艺术效果图公司起名推荐毛细现象叶辰萧初然小说(叶辰)免费阅读最新章节霹雳侠影之轰定干戈ou99.com改名起名字的翻新机是什么意思设计工作室名字怎么起七十二编羊肉米线店名怎么起汗血宝马起源大地的裂变美食家免费起姓名的网站少年生前被连续抽血16次?多部门介入两大学生合买彩票中奖一人不认账让美丽中国“从细节出发”淀粉肠小王子日销售额涨超10倍高中生被打伤下体休学 邯郸通报单亲妈妈陷入热恋 14岁儿子报警何赛飞追着代拍打雅江山火三名扑火人员牺牲系谣言张家界的山上“长”满了韩国人?男孩8年未见母亲被告知被遗忘中国拥有亿元资产的家庭达13.3万户19岁小伙救下5人后溺亡 多方发声315晚会后胖东来又人满为患了张立群任西安交通大学校长“重生之我在北大当嫡校长”男子被猫抓伤后确诊“猫抓病”测试车高速逃费 小米:已补缴周杰伦一审败诉网易网友洛杉矶偶遇贾玲今日春分倪萍分享减重40斤方法七年后宇文玥被薅头发捞上岸许家印被限制高消费萧美琴窜访捷克 外交部回应联合利华开始重组专访95后高颜值猪保姆胖东来员工每周单休无小长假男子被流浪猫绊倒 投喂者赔24万小米汽车超级工厂正式揭幕黑马情侣提车了西双版纳热带植物园回应蜉蝣大爆发当地回应沈阳致3死车祸车主疑毒驾恒大被罚41.75亿到底怎么缴妈妈回应孩子在校撞护栏坠楼外国人感慨凌晨的中国很安全杨倩无缘巴黎奥运校方回应护栏损坏小学生课间坠楼房客欠租失踪 房东直发愁专家建议不必谈骨泥色变王树国卸任西安交大校长 师生送别手机成瘾是影响睡眠质量重要因素国产伟哥去年销售近13亿阿根廷将发行1万与2万面值的纸币兔狲“狲大娘”因病死亡遭遇山火的松茸之乡“开封王婆”爆火:促成四五十对奥巴马现身唐宁街 黑色着装引猜测考生莫言也上北大硕士复试名单了德国打算提及普京时仅用姓名天水麻辣烫把捣辣椒大爷累坏了