Fear of Public Speaking? You Are Not Alone. | DomeMagazine.com

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Winning The Day

July 20, 2012

Q. I?ve always wanted to run for office, but the thought of giving a speech sends me into a panic. Making public policy interests me, but making public speeches scares me. Any suggestions?

A. You are not alone. The fear of public speaking ranks #1 among the general public. It?s above the fear of flying and the fear of death. Jerry Seinfeld joked, ?Most people would rather be lying in the casket than delivering the eulogy.?

Many of our clients have the same challenge you do. Here is what we tell them:

• Remember that it is not about you; it?s about your message. Give your message a laser-like focus and you?ll forget yourself in the process. Put your passion into it and relish the opportunity to tell people something you care deeply about.
• Keep your remarks simple and brief. It?s easier to go into a speech with confidence and courage if you don?t have to keep it together more than five or ten minutes. A longer speech can be overwhelming. Most speakers talk too long anyway so you will be a refreshing change.
• Work from a one-page outline of no more than three key messages written down in short, concise declarative sentences. Put a few details under each in bullet points. This will keep your speech conversational. Avoid reading a text because it will bore the audience and your confidence will wither.
• Start strong. Memorize your opening so you can give it smoothly and with poise. This will give you momentum and your self-assurance will build.
• Practice out loud in front of a mirror so you can see and hear yourself as others do. Smile and gesture because this makes you look confident even if you don?t feel it.

Even the pros are nervous. They?ve just learned to make their butterflies fly in formation!

Paula Blanchard Stone and Patty McCarthy are partners in McCarthy Blanchard, an executive training firm specializing , an executive training firm specializing in presentation skills and executive presence. Visit mccarthyblanchard.com or call (517) 339-7447 or (313) 882-9200. | Website

July 19, 2012 ? Filed under Winning The Day Tags: michigan, politics, public speaking

Source: http://domemagazine.com/winning/winning072012

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