Overcoming Public Speaking Fear – Embrace Your Vulnerability

One of the most common reasons for public speaking nerves is our fear of making a mistake in front of others. Maybe we’ll dry up, or say something stupid or …  

In other words, we are scared to let others to see that we are anything less than perfect.

Interestingly, some of the best speakers I know are rarely perfect. They are human, like the rest of us.  They have the courage to show what’s behind the mask.

The big difference is they are less concerned about what other people think of them than you are. They have learned to accept their own vulnerability, and this is the secret of their success. As my friend Richard Wilkins says, “perfection isn’t connection“.  Speakers who are willing to risk showing their vulnerability understand that when we allow ourselves to make mistakes we give others permission to risk making mistakes too. If we are human, we give others permission to be human too.

Remember that:

• The fear of doing something is always worse than actually doing it.
• Most of what we FEAR will never actually happen

But what if I do dry up or say something silly?

Just repeat after me these two magic words!   “So what!”

Is it really the end of the world?  Have you ever heard of somebody getting killed for forgetting what they were going to say?  It’s amazing the effect a little reality check can make.

So I challenge you to accept your humanity and all that it brings. True courage is accepting ourselves, warts and all and still speaking our truth without fear.  Accept this truth and your public speaking nerves will wither, and confidence will blossom within you in its place.

photo credit: PhotKing ♛ via photopin cc

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