How to Develop Courage to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking

May 1, 2011
Jerry Lopper

Fear of Public Speaking - Matthew Keefe CC Attr

Fear of public speaking limits growth for many people. Support your personal growth and development and develop the courage to overcome your fears.

Fear is a major obstacle to all aspects of personal growth and development. The fear of public speaking is one such fear, preventing many people from reaching their potential in their personal and professional lives.

According to Paul L. Witt, PhD, assistant professor of communication studies at Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, "The idea of making a presentation in public is the number one fear reported by people in the U.S."

A harsh fact of personal growth is that the process will take you out of your comfort zone. Your development will necessarily require that you face fears and go forward anyway. When American lecturer, philosopher, essayist, and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life," he was probably referring to this fact of success; to succeed in becoming the best that you can be will require you to willingly endure the personal discomforts of new people, new situations, and the risk of failure.

What is Courage?

Courage is the willingness to face a fear and move forward in spite of it. You can achieve your dreams for personal and professional development when you learn to transform your fears to courage.

Recent studies by the researchers and practitioners of positive psychology — the study of human well-being — point out new information to help you move forward with public speaking as well as other areas of personal growth and development.

Positive Psychology Courage Studies

In an April 15, 2011 CAPP Speaker Series presentation, Robert Biswas-Diener discussed recent findings about fear and courage. Biswas-Diener, a coach, author, international positive psychology speaker, and Director of Positive Psychology Services LLC, defined courage as moving forward in spite of personal risk, an uncertain outcome, and the presence of fear.

Anyone who has ever struggled with the fear of speaking in public will recognize that their fears centered around personal risk and an uncertain outcome. Giving a public presentation puts you in the spotlight. All eyes are on you at center stage. Though success in the spotlight can have a tremendous upside to your career and self-confidence, the risk is also great. Who hasn't pondered the humiliation of stumbling over words, forgetting major points, or suffering audience rejection of your ideas?

With an uncertain outcome and great personal risk of failure, it's no wonder that public speaking carries such fear for most people. Even seasoned, successful speakers confess to stress, anxiety, and outright fear before giving presentations.

Biswas-Diener provided insights into the makeup of courage that can help you transform your fear of speaking to the courage to willingly seek the growth opportunities of being in the spotlight. Indeed, these insights are useful for becoming more courageous in the face of any fear.

Biswas-Diener described courage as the difference between the willingness to act and your fear. He then set about identifying several steps you can take to strengthen your willingness to act in spite of fear.

Become Courageous Using These Tips

Following are suggestions for becoming more courageous, specifically overcoming the fear of public speaking. However, the tips are appropriate for overcoming any fear.

Conquering your fear of public speaking will not eliminate your fear, but will allow you to feel confident moving forward in spite of the fear. The first step all experts suggest is to acknowledge and accept that you're afraid. Then utilize any or all of these courage-inspiring tips.

Remove Uncertainty: Reduce your personal risk as well as the uncertainty of outcome by thoroughly knowing your presentation material, practicing it often in front of supportive friends or co-workers.
Focus on Associated Values: Values link you to your authentic self. When you're authentic your audience will recognize and appreciate your sincerity. For example, if integrity is an important value to you, remind yourself that the information you're presenting is accurate, timely, and relevant to your audience.
Counter Physical Responses to Fear: If you find yourself temporarily blocked by fear, take a few deep, slow breaths, smile at your audience, take a sip or two of water, and focus on relaxing your body's tensions.
Role Model: Do you have a role model, someone you admire and respect as a speaker? In the few minutes just before your presentation, bring that person to mind and picture her in your situation. How does she sit? What does she do with her hands and eyes? Model her in your mind as you begin to present and anytime during the presentation that you feel anxious.
Long Term Focus: Visualize a successful presentation, an appreciative audience, and congratulatory comments at the conclusion. Focus on the long term benefits of courageously facing your fear. See yourself benefiting from career growth and increased self-confidence and composure.
Gain Exposure: Attend presentations in your area of expertise. Become familiar with the venues and procedures.
Designate a Talisman: Give yourself an object that signifies courage, something that can quickly remind you that you are courageous. This can be something small or an imagined object that you can keep handy in pocket, purse, or in memory to give you courage if fear strikes.

Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking

Personal and professional growth and development hinge on becoming known for your ideas, abilities, and experience. Public presentations, whether to large audiences or to small groups, provides these opportunities. Don't let the fear of speaking in public keep your talents hidden. Follow the suggestions in this article for developing courage to overcome your fears.

Sources

Robert Biswas-Diener, "Courage, Creativity and Curiosity: 3 Strengths that Pay Performance Dividends," Capp Speaker Series, April 15, 2011.
Daniel J. DeNoon and Jeanie Lerche Davis, "Fear of Public Speaking Hardwired: Speech Anxiety Worse for Some, but Most Can Overcome It," WebMD Health News, April 20, 2006