“Everyone’s judging me and I don’t know if I’m making sense.”
“Well, maybe I don’t know what I know and everybody else knows more than me.”
If you surveyed public speakers a high majority would confess to having felt at least one, if not both, of these statements at one point during their speaking career. Having some doubts is a natural and universal feeling. Stepping in front of an audience can feel exhilarating for some. For others, it’s when they second guess themselves, questioning if they are knowledgeable enough to speak about this topic. It takes a mindset shift to get past the hesitations and nervous butterflies to turn your fears into your greatest passion—public speaking.
Busting Self-Defeating Myths
Myth 1: I’ll never get used to people looking at me and being so intently focused on my words.
Fact: Yes, you will. Here’s the truth: they aren’t looking at you to pick apart each detail of your being but are generously giving you their attention so they are open to receive the message you are sharing with them. Having an attentive audience is so much better than speaking to people who aren’t interested in you.
Myth 2: The sentences I’m stringing together are coming out garbled and making little sense.
Fact: Chances are more likely if you asked a friend to video your presentation and watched the replay you wouldn’t agree with this statement. You would see yourself looking like a normal human being. You’d notice audience members leaning in to listen closely or to taking careful notes of the key points relevant to them. You’d observe yourself gesturing naturally with no visual evidence of the internal butterflies dancing in your stomach.
Myth 3: I shouldn’t be here, speaking about this topic because there are others more experienced and knowledgeable than me. I’m an imposter.
Fact: No one will share the same message on your topic as you would. What you have to say it’s important. What you have to say comes along with your experiences and view points which will resonate with your audience. After all, they came to listen to you. Remember, just because you think this way, doesn’t make it true.
Adapting to a Speaker’s Mindset
My podcast guest Nicole Wells of Speak Wells took her greatest fear—public speaking—and turned it around to be one of her greatest loves. Listen to the full episode, Shift Your Speaking Mindset and Boost Your Confidence, to learn some tips for shifting your mindset for ways to come out on top to speak with poise and confidence.
Public speaking is a learned skill. The more practice and experience you gain the greater your confidence will grow. As your confidence grows you’ll discover ways to quiet the inner voices trying to sow seeds of self-doubt and break the patterns which aren’t beneficial.
As you work on your speaking craft seek out volunteer opportunities to practice your public speaking. Do a short talk for a community group or during a meeting. You’ll feel like you’re honing your voice and your way of working in front of an audience. Soon you’ll discover your natural style and it will shine brighter and brighter.
Not sure you can get started alone and you would rather have someone to guide you? Click here to schedule a 1:1 Consulting session. This step can be first on your list to reclaiming your position in front of the podium with confidence and preparing to bring your message to audiences waiting to hear what you have to share.