Meddic

District Manager

Getting over public speaking fears

It took years of practice and reflection but I still get nervous before speaking in front of people or senior execs. An understanding of what I'm speaking about has been very helpful. How have you gotten past public speaking fears?

🧠 Advice

🎯 Career Development

🤘 Personal Growth

30 comments

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CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

Remembering that most people on this planet are absolute morons doesn't hurt either.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

90% of the audience stops listening.

Meddic

Valued Contributor

District Manager

If you think about the average idiot, half of people are dumber than that

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

One of my mom's friends says a version of this constantly.

funcoupons

WR Officer

👑

Sage advice.

CCP

Opinionated

VP, Business Development

This is basically my ethos in life. Expect that everyone is useless and when someone isn't, I'm pleasantly surprised! No one lets me down anymore because I don't expect anyone to be competent.

Kinonez

Celebrated Contributor

War Room Enthusiast

Practice, practice, practice. That’s the key, look yourself in the mirror and rehearse your so each or presentation several times until you feel comfortable with it. Once you are no longer nervous about the topic and feel like you are a pro it makes it easier to talk about it in front of others.

once you have to do so, don’t make eye contact, look at people’s forehead, no eyes to judge gives you way more peace.

I used to struggle a lot, implemented these and now I love the thrill of a new presentation!

funcoupons

WR Officer

👑

Toastmasters has helped a lot of people, and you get to be around people who share the same goal of getting better at public speaking so there's no reason to be nervous or embarrassed.

GreenSide

Politicker

Sales manager

This 100%. You can try out different strategies and really focus on certain areas to strengthen. It's a safe space where everybody is looking to improve too.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

I once spoke to an audience of nearly 2,500 people. I was about to shit a brick just thinking about it...and then I got to the walk-through before the event and realized that the house lights hid nearly every seat in the audience. My biggest fear was seeing people's reactions, or lack thereof, to my talk and getting nervous that they weren't enjoying it. Once I realized that I wasn't going to be able to see anyone in rows 5 and beyond, the nervousness disappeared.

However, I still get nervous when I speak in front of 50-100 people at meet-ups or company all hands. I have a fear of sounding stupid, but like @CaneWolf said, most people are morons and they truly aren't listening to what you are saying. Just gotta do it dozens of times to get to a level where you are confident...but you'll never stop being nervous.

Meddic

Valued Contributor

District Manager

Yeah visibility is important and can help if you can’t see the audience

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

I still get butterflies when I have to publicly speak. I think that’s what makes it exciting and keeps you sharp. Instead of trying to fight it I use it to keep my mind sharp and will have notes to go back to

NoSuperhero

Politicker

BDR LEAD

My second biggest fear, speaking in front of large crowds. For some reason outer space terrifies me.

sales7

Politicker

Commercial Product Enablement

I think you're on the right track with knowing the subject matter in and out.

The best way to beat the butterflies is when you're confident you can handle the conversation no matter which way it goes.

Practice is the only other thing that's helped me, keep pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and it won't seem as scary

Lambda

Tycoon

Sales Consultant

just do it, the best way to get over it is to do do do!

Meddic

Valued Contributor

District Manager

Yup

TheDeplorable

Politicker

The more you do it, the easier it gets

Meddic

Valued Contributor

District Manager

Very true

DrunkenArt

Politicker

Sales Representative

Most people get nervous when public speaking, that's actually a good thing. Practice with family, friends, co-workers to get better and then knowing the subject will help a lot too.

CCP

Opinionated

VP, Business Development

For execs, mindset is key. Titles are for business cards.

For larger groups, I still get nervous haha

BmajoR

Arsonist

Account Executive

Practice, and body language practices like pacing and having an "open" posture instead of staying put and closed off.

dryspongebob

Opinionated

Business Development Manager

5 minutes of Wonder Woman posing. I know it sounds like bullshit but it works.

DonDraper

Politicker

National Sales Manager

I often think about times where I am the one listening. What are you actually doing in those moments - you are not actually judging the person up on stage. If your content is on point then there is nothing to worry about.

Queenofsales

Politicker

Senior Recruitment Consultant

Definitely believing in what you are saying and confident that you can actually make a change helps! Being less nervous makes everything seem more natural.

sugardaddy

Politicker

🍬

It's pretty simple. Let me give you a good advice young man.

Look at people and tell yourself "these peps go to the toilet and shit as I do" 😂 helps me every time.

GDO

Politicker

BDM

Not caring what people think of you really helps.

Theloanemperor

Opinionated

Loan Officer

Public speaking is the best.... literally all the attention is on you :D that's what we want!

Cabbie

Good Citizen

AE (Account Executive)

I'm actually an ex-performer, and honestly I found it never quite went away - a bit of fear is good. Keeps you on your toes.

Having said that, there are a few things that always helped me:

Keeping your breathing regular, and deep. Breath is actually really important - don't feel like you need to get everything out at once when you're speaking. People don't automatically interpret pauses as hesitancy: they interpret it as being in control, and breathing deeply keeps you measured and gives you time to think.

Realising that everyone fucks up on stage, and to be honest: it's part of the charm. Don't just practice getting it right while you're memorising your speech - if you lose your place while practicing, just improvise 'til you find it again. The best performers don't always get it right, they just know how to make getting it wrong endearing, and they know how to find their way back to their material when they lose their spot.

I've personally found performance & sales to have a very similar mentality - a lot of confidence comes from digging yourself out of the holes you make while you don't know what you're doing. That just comes from practice.

I promise it gets easier, and I hope your future speeches go well!

looper1010

Celebrated Contributor

Solutions Specialist

Most people won't remember your gaffs

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

Just keep on trying that kinda fear should be diminishing by practice!!

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Meddic

Getting over public speaking fears

30 comments

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