When asked to identify their greatest fear, guess which one people most frequently mention?
Public speaking in front of an audience!
Unfortunately, it’s an important skill that is all-too-often not taught or emphasized in schools, which is why many people don’t end up mastering it (if ever) until they’re adults and required to make public presentations in college or the workplace.
One reason we we’re reluctant to “put ourselves out there” in front of a crowd is our fear of saying something stupid or our mind going blank just in time for the punch line. However, speaking comfortably in front of groups is a skill that can be learned—I’m proof of that.
Acquiring this skill will help you immensely in life, especially in your career. If you’re not satisfied with your presentation skills, consider these pointers:
- Lower your expectations of yourself—you don’t need an orator’s eloquence to deliver a successful presentation.
- Take comfort in that you usually know more about your subject than your audience and only you know exactly what you want to say
- Recognize that most audiences want you to succeed and are on your side
- Avoid excessive detail
- Tell stories
- Show lots of enthusiasm and expression
- Try to have fun with it!
If all else fails, you can always try the “imagine your audience in their underwear” trick. Frankly, that never worked for me, but it might for you. I’m infinitely better in front of groups than I used to be since adopting the above tactics. If I can, you can! It’s a life skill you’ll be glad you developed.
Are you comfortable speaking in front of groups? What hurdles do you need to overcome to develop your confidence? Share your experiences and advice with our online community at www.dennistrittin.com. And pass this email on to a friend!
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