{"id":22294,"date":"2013-06-07T04:00:56","date_gmt":"2013-06-07T09:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/michaelhyatt.com\/?p=22294"},"modified":"2013-06-07T04:00:56","modified_gmt":"2013-06-07T09:00:56","slug":"fear-of-public-speaking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fullfocus.co\/fear-of-public-speaking\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Over Your Fear of Public Speaking"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to psychologists, most people have a greater fear of public speaking than of death. As someone who trains speakers professionally<\/a>, I can attest this is true.<\/p>\n\n

It certainly was for me. Even after I had been speaking publicly for years, I still struggled with fear. Even when I was well-prepared. This happened nearly every time I spoke.
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\nThe problem, as I eventually discovered, was I was focused on myself.<\/em><\/p>\n

My thoughts were consumed with whether or not they would like my speech, laugh at my jokes, or think I was smart.<\/p>\n

As a result, I sweated profusely. My hands got ice cold. I felt sick to my stomach. I would often be near panic before I stepped up on the stage.<\/p>\n

Everything shifted when I started focusing on my audience.<\/em><\/p>\n

I started asking myself, What are their needs? How do they feel? How can I best serve them?<\/em><\/p>\n

Suddenly, my anxiety disappeared. Not all at once, but incrementally, as my focus shifted from me to them.<\/p>\n

Now, I usually can\u2019t wait to speak. Occasionally, I slip back into the old pattern, but at least now I know how to fix it.<\/p>\n

The question I always ask myself right before I step to the podium is this:<\/p>\n

What are the gifts I want to give those attending this event?<\/div>\n

I focus on three. These have the power to transform them\u2014and me.<\/p>\n

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  1. The Gift of Clarity.<\/strong> When people come to hear someone speak, regardless of the topic\u2014they are often confused. For example:\n