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Do your hands, arms, knees or your entire body tremble when you speak in public?
Do you experience a pounding of the heart, unusual rush of blood to your face,
fast breathing and/or shaking voice? Does your mouth become dry and your tongue
become heavy? Do you forget what you had planned to say? Have you felt like you
have nothing to offer, even though you have lived for 20 or more years, you have
a job/career/calling, you have a family, have been sick, downsized, rejected or
bitten by a dog?
You have hope for good things if you experience any or all the above.
You are still alive, you can do something about your fear of public speaking
and you are not alone.
Cicero, renown world speaker and philosopher said, "I turn pale at the outset of a
speech, and quake in every limb and in all my soul." Read Exodus to learn about
Moses' fear of public speaking. John Dryden described his fear of public speaking
this way, "Whenever I speak a cold sweat trickles down all over my limbs as if I
were dissolving in water."
Time and space limit what I can reveal at the moment. But I know how it feels to have running stomach,
sleepless nights and disappointed audience.
What is the main cause of the fear of speaking in public?
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1.
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You want the approval of others but feel like it's impossible to win that approval.
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2.
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You fear to fail.
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3.
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You are afraid that the audience will laugh or leave as you speak or worse yet throw you out.
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Here is the ultimate cure for any symptom related to the fear of standing up in public and saying
something that can change their lives and the course of history:
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1.
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Only speak on something that is dear to you. You must speak from deep conviction.
In fact, it is like the subject chooses you! Nothing destroys my fear of public
speaking like a common experience that I share with my audience. I grew up in Kangundo,
Kenya, but speak mostly in America. Yet, 99.9% of the time I have a shared experience
with my audiences.
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2.
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It’s not about you but the subject and the audience. When you forget how you will
be received, you will focus on the importance of the subject and the audience’s
life after learning the subject.
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3.
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Become a master of the subject. If you don’t fear forgetting what you plan to say,
you are on the way to becoming a great speaker.
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4.
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Speak. Speak at every opportunity you get. Seek and create opportunities to share
your thoughts. I have made my livelihood from this noble calling we call professional
speaking for twelve years. But I still call Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, Toastmasters
(my favorite) and other organizations so that I can keep practicing. These groups
don’t pay in dollars but give you a platform to hone your skills and most of them
feed you, too.
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5.
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Learn to move when you speak but not like a caged wild animal. Meaningful physical
activities are known for reducing the fear of public speaking.
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6.
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Keep some nervousness. It helps you to never take for granted the
privilege of touching lives. Use the nervousness to create a new beginning
for your listeners.
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By Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku, motivational speaker, Boise State adjunct professor
and author of Overcoming Buffaloes at Work & in Life is an expert who works with
organizations to increase productivity through leadership and employee development
programs. Contact him at www.overcomingbuffaloes.com or (208) 376-8724.
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