Public Humiliation....er, um, uh...Speaking

Nothing gives me more energy than communicating passionately to a group of people (the larger the group, the better.) When there is a solid connection and people are zoned in on what is being said it creates an energy and buzz that can’t be gotten anyway else.

(And of course, the greatest buzz happens when a change in thinking or behavior occurs in someone's life and they step forward in their spiritual journey - this is the ultimate goal of why I communicate!)

But public speaking and getting up in front of people is not easy for most people. In fact, the number one fear for most people is getting up in front of a group of people. The latest issue of Fast Company Magazine gives a few great tips to move past the paralyzing fear of public speaking. Here they are:

1. Abandon childhood. We pick up all types of weird beliefs as children that if we do a bad job, people won’t like us. Forget this. Not true.

2. Expose yourself. Stefan Hofmann, directory of the social anxiety program at Boston University’s Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders suggests, “The best way to overcome a fear is to expose yourself to it as much as possible.”

3. Get back to basics. Connect with a safe organization like toastmasters or a group that allows you to practice and prepare regularly.

4. Make mistakes. It’s ok. The higher you raise the stakes in your own mind, the harder time you’ll have in front of a crowd.

I’m going to add another:

5. Take a deep breath. There’s something about taking a deep breath that relaxes me every time I get up in front of a group or crowd. It makes all the difference in the world and helps me to relax.