Public speaking is an area of people's lives many would try to avoid. The very idea of standing in front of a large group of people and having to recite a well-rehearsed speech is the last thing that many who are new to this form of publicity would just rather not think about. Eventually there will come a time when a close friend or colleague will ask you to speak at a function or a gathering and you won't want to disappoint them. Perhaps you are vying for a promotion and public speaking is a prerequisite to obtaining that cushy chair in the new office. Even just standing and addressing a small group of fellow employees can be a nerve racking experience for a large percentage of the population. Relax there is a way that you can become more comfortable and confident when you are offered these types of situations!
It is called practice. Think of it this way, every day you have to speak to people in the "normal" situations of your life. So why is it so different when there is a crowd, and you suddenly find yourself up front and in the "limelight"? It goes back a long way in the evolution of who humans are. In the days when people had much less need for public displays and associations, they would collect in small groups and avoid eye contact with the dominant archetype individuals in the group. It became ingrained in our psyche to avoid confrontations with large formidable groups of other hominids. So you see, the fear of making eye contact with anyone and in confronting and speaking to large assemblies of our peers, is a natural fear. We can overcome it!
The first thing to do is to become comfortable with making eye contact with individuals. Start with yourself. Find a mirror in a well lit room and look at yourself. This is who the world sees every day, and more importantly this is who you need to become more aware of. Start talking to the reflection of yourself. Gradually begin to glance and stare into your own eyes as you speak. By doing this your brain is both forced to be comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time. Admire the color of your eyes and enjoy the expressions of your eyebrows as you speak. Notice the little things as you continue to rant to yourself. Speak to your refection about wild crazy topics and very serious ones as well. Allow yourself to become confident and aware of your audience of "you".
After a couple of weeks of on and off practice in front of your own image you will begin to notice a change in how you address the people in your everyday situations. You will unconsciously become confident and begin looking people "in their eyes" as you speak. You won't be able to help yourself, and this is your main goal. Become aware of how comfortable it can be to speak to people and to notice their reactions when you are speaking. Is the person happy or sad, relaxed or tense when they speak to me, and when I speak to them?
The next step is to try standing with your friends and during normal conversation ask them if you can have their attention. When they are looking back at you, try giving them a small speech about something that interests you and in fifteen words or less invite them to a gathering at your place, or somewhere comfortable. Do this with a couple more friends and suddenly you are at the edge of a public speaking engagement. When the day of the gathering arrives, get up that morning and prepare a short welcome to my party or gathering speech. Try to memorize and rehearse what you will say. Keep it short and make sure that you include an introduction of the people who will be attending. When the time comes you will be able to welcome your friends with ease and poise, and you will not be uncomfortable. Make sure that you rehearse it in front of your mirror several times in front of your best audience, "you"!
When speaking in front of your group of friends, remember to think of them as individuals and not as a group. Look at each of their faces and give them your very short little "warm welcome speech". Don't worry if it's perfect just make sure that you congratulate yourself in your own mind afterwards, because indeed you are well on your way to becoming a much better public speaker.
There are many associations such as Toast Masters and other public speaking groups that can help you to polish your new abilities. Always remember that public speaking is an activity and it should be fun for you. If you are enjoying yourself so will your audience!
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Author's Website Link
http://www.phillipharrison.com/
The Art of You, Public Speaking Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_speaking
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